TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's main stock market index looked set to open lower on Friday as weak commodity prices and worries over the financial well-being of some European countries weighed on the market.
Investors will also take time to digest employment data from both sides of the border. Canada's unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent in January, its lowest rate since September, from 8.4 percent in December as the economy added 43,000 jobs, Statistics Canada said on Friday.
Meanwhile U.S. numbers are due out at 830 am (1330 GMT). Analysts in a Reuters poll predicted non-farm payrolls grew by 5,000 in January after an unexpected loss of 85,000 in December. The unemployment rate is expected to edge up to 10.1 percent in January from 10 percent.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE notched its steepest percentage drop since early October on Thursday as investor confidence was shaken by intensifying concerns about sovereign debt in some euro zone countries.
Here is some of the news that may affect the market.
EUROPE'S WOES
European policymakers scrambled on Friday to reassure markets on the stability of their 16-nation currency bloc as investors shed euro assets for a second day on fears about debt-laden member states like Greece and Portugal.
