Before the Bell: What Canadian investors need to know today

Global tech stocks bounced and lifted markets ahead of Nvidia's earnings, while Canadian markets await bank and corporate results; oil and gold moved higher amid Iran concerns.

Global tech stocks rebounded and helped lift equity markets as investors prepared for major earnings reports, including Nvidia's. Some near-term worries about U.S. tariffs were set aside in trading, even as wider political and geopolitical concerns remain. Markets closed higher on Tuesday, and futures in the U.S. and Canada moved up in early trading. Canadian attention is on a slate of corporate results due today, including major banks. Market details: - Tech strength pushed Wall Street futures higher after markets closed higher on Tuesday, and TSX futures also rose. - In Canada, Bank of Montreal and National Bank of Canada report today; other Canadian results expected from CCL Industries Inc., EQB Inc., Loblaw Companies Ltd., Northland Power Inc., Snowline Gold Corp., Stantec Inc., and WSP Global Inc. - U.S. companies with earnings to watch include eBay Inc., Hut 8 Corp., Lowe's Companies Inc., Nvidia Corp., and TJX Companies Inc. - European indexes were higher in morning trade: STOXX 600 +0.45%, FTSE 100 +0.87%, DAX +0.22%, CAC 40 +0.24%. - Asian markets saw gains with Japan's Nikkei up 2.20% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng up 0.66%. - Commodities moved higher: Brent futures US$71.19 (+0.6%), WTI US$66.04 (+0.6%); spot gold US$5,190.99 (+0.8%) and U.S. April gold futures US$5,210.40 (+0.7%); oil gains were linked in reports to concerns about Iran. Summary: Tech-sector gains helped set a firmer tone for markets and focused attention on upcoming corporate results in both Canada and the U.S. Commodity moves and the day’s earnings reports will be watched for further direction, and the broader market stance is undetermined at this time.