TOP NEWS • China surprises with best export growth since March, but imports remain weak China's exports unexpectedly returned to growth in July on improved global demand despite escalating U.S. trade pressure, but the rebound may be short-lived as Washington prepares to slap even more tariffs on Chinese goods. • 's scooters steering new customers to ride-hailing, but winter is coming A quarter of Lyft customers who use its bikes and scooters are new to the company, executives said on Wednesday, outlining how investments in the expensive growth area may eventually benefit the core ride-hailing business. • profit beats on strength in Asia unit Manulife Financial edged past estimates for second-quarter profit, helped by strength in Asia unit, its biggest. • AIG profit beats on strong underwriting, investment income American International Group beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly profit on Wednesday, boosted by improved underwriting in general insurance business and higher investment income, sending its shares up extended trading. • Magna International trims 2019 sales forecast Magna International trimmed its sales forecast for the year, as it expects a drop in vehicle production in North America and Europe due to weak global demand and the impact of U.S.-China trade tensions.

BEFORE THE BELL Futures for Canada's main stock index were little changed, a day after ending a week-long losing streak as calm returned to global markets. U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher opening as strong trade data from China and firmer yuan soothed investor sentiment. Oil prices rebounded too, helped by expectations that falling prices may lead to more production cuts. The dollar index was little changed, while gold prices slipped. New housing price index data is due later in the day, while earnings of Hudbay Minerals and Saputo Inc among others will also be in focus.

STOCKS TO WATCH

Results • Corp Ltd (CTCa). Department store and online retailer reported lower-than-expected quarterly profit, hurt mainly by lower margins in its petroleum retail business. The company said net fuel margins per litre fell in a competitive market, which has also been hit by the implementation of a carbon tax in some regions. Net income rose to C$203.8 million, or C$2.87 per share, in the second quarter from C$ 174.4 million, or C$2.38 per share, a year earlier. Excluding items, it earned C$2.97 per share, missing the average analyst estimate of C$3.01. The -based company's revenue of C$3.69 billion also missed analysts' estimate of C$3.71 billion. • Magna International Inc (MG). The company trimmed its sales forecast for the year, as it expects a drop in vehicle production in North America and Europe due to weak global demand and the impact of U.S.-China trade tensions. The auto parts maker said it now expects total sales of $38.9 billion to $41.1 billion, compared with its previous estimate of $39.1 billion to $41.3 billion. The company also cut its forecast for light vehicle production volume in North America to 16.6 million from 16.7 million. For Europe, it was trimmed to 21.4 million from 21.5 million. Excluding items, the company earned $1.59 per share, while analyst were expecting $1.53. Total sales fell to $10.13 billion from $10.28 billion. • Manulife Financial Corp (MFC). Canada's largest insurer on Wednesday edged past estimates for second-quarter profit, helped by strength in Asia unit, its biggest. The company's Asia unit reported a nearly 15% rise in core earnings to $471 million, while its domestic and U.S. businesses slipped. Manulife said core earnings rose to C$1.45 billion, or 72 Canadian cents per share, in the second quarter ended June 30, from C$1.43 billion, or 70 Canadian cents per share, a year earlier. Analysts on average had expected a profit of 71 Canadian cents per share. • TMX Group (X). Canada's biggest stock exchange operator posted quarterly adjusted profit on Wednesday that topped market expectations, as it reined in operating expenses and benefited from strength in its global solutions business. Excluding items, net income rose to C$81.8 million, or C$1.45 per share, for the second quarter ended June 30, beating analysts' average estimate of C$1.33 per share. The company, which operates the , also said second-quarter earnings dipped to C$77.2 million, or C$1.37 a share, from C$95.6 million, or C$1.71 per share, a year earlier when it recorded a C$26.8 million gain on the sale of its interest in FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Ltd. Revenue in the quarter rose to C$210.3 million, topping analysts' expectations of C$203.5 million.

In Other News • Saputo Inc (SAP). Australia's competition watchdog raised concerns about Canadian dairy firm's acquisition of the Australian specialty cheese business of Japan's Kirin Holdings. The deal would lead to a combination of the processing plants of the second and third biggest buyers of raw milk in the state of Tasmania, which currently compete separately with the biggest buyer, Fonterra. "We are concerned that combining these two operators may lead to Tasmanian dairy farmers being paid lower prices for their raw milk," Australia Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said in a statement.

POLL Canada dollar outlook brightens with stable domestic economy The Canadian dollar will strengthen against its U.S. counterpart over the coming year, recouping ground lost since July, as Canada's economy stays strong enough to withstand global trade uncertainty, a Reuters poll predicted.

ANALYSTS' RECOMMENDATION • Delphi Energy Corp (DEE). RBC cuts target price to C$0.20 from C$0.25, stating the company’s capital constraints with minimal capacity and decreased cash flow per share estimates. • Exchange Income Corp (EIF). CIBC raises target price to C$41 from C$39.5, noting the company’s lower operating expense and increased revenue guidance for its subsidiary – Kessler. • Manulife Financial Corp (MFC). Evercore ISI cuts target price to C$24 from C$24.50, citing the company’s lower earnings per share estimates and challenging environment in Asian market.

ECONOMIC EVENTS (All timings in U.S. Eastern Time) 0830 New housing price index for Jun: Expected 0.0%; Prior -0.1%

COMPANIES REPORTING RESULTS August 8: Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp (AQN). Expected Q2 earnings of 13 cents per share Boralex Inc (BLX). Expected Q2 loss of 14 Canadian cents per share Brookfield Asset Management Inc (BAMa). Expected Q2 earnings of 58 cents per share Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd (CTCa). Expected Q2 earnings of C$3.01 per share CCL Industries Inc (CCLb). Expected Q2 earnings of 76 Canadian cents per share CI Financial Corp (CIX). Expected Q2 earnings of 59 Canadian cents per share Cineplex Inc (CGX). Expected Q2 earnings of 28 Canadian cents per share Cott Corp (BCB). Expected Q2 earnings of 7 cents per share Cronos Group Inc (CRON). Expected Q2 loss of 3 Canadian cents per share Enerflex Ltd (EFX). Expected Q2 earnings of 37 Canadian cents per share Ero Copper Corp (ERO). Expected Q2 earnings of 19 cents per share Hudbay Minerals Inc (HBM). Expected Q2 earnings of break even per share Ltd (IPL). Expected Q2 earnings of 31 Canadian cents per share Intertape Polymer Group Inc (ITP). Expected Q2 earnings of 24 cents per share Corp (LNR). Expected Q2 earnings of C$2.68 per share Magna International Inc (MG). Expected Q2 earnings of $1.53 per share Morneau Shepell Inc (MSI). Expected Q2 earnings of 18 Canadian cents per share Pason Systems Inc (PSI). Expected Q2 earnings of 14 Canadian cents per share Quebecor Inc (QBRb). Expected Q2 earnings of 49 Canadian cents per share Recipe Unlimited Corp (RECP). Expected Q2 earnings of 35 Canadian cents per share Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc (RBA). Expected Q2 earnings of 43 cents per share Russel Metals Inc (RUS). Expected Q2 earnings of 50 Canadian cents per share Saputo Inc (SAP). Expected Q1 earnings of 41 Canadian cents per share Shawcor Ltd (SCL). Expected Q2 earnings of 4 Canadian cents per share Torex Gold Resources Inc (TXG). Expected Q2 earnings of 9 cents per share Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd (WDO). Expected Q2 earnings of 9 Canadian cents per share Corp (WPM). Expected Q2 earnings of 11 cents per share WSP Global Inc (WSP). Expected Q2 earnings of 91 Canadian cents per share

August 9: Cascades Inc (CAS). Expected Q2 earnings of 33 Canadian cents per share Enerplus Corp (ERF). Expected Q2 earnings of 26 Canadian cents per share Hydro One Ltd (H). Expected Q2 earnings of 27 Canadian cents per share Sprott Inc (SII). Expected Q2 earnings of 3 Canadian cents per share TransAlta Corp (TA). Expected Q2 loss of 12 Canadian cents per share

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CORPORATE EVENTS (All timings in U.S. Eastern Time) 0800 Manulife Financial Corp (MFC). Q2 earnings conference call 0800 Magna International Inc (MG). Q2 earnings conference call 0800 Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd (CTCa). Q2 earnings conference call 0800 TMX Group Ltd (X). Q2 earnings conference call 0800 Lightspeed POS Inc (LSPD). Q1 earnings conference call 0830 CI Financial Corp (CIX). Q2 earnings conference call 0830 Exchange Income Corp (EIF). Q2 earnings conference call 0830 Cronos Group Inc (CRON). Q2 earnings conference call 0830 Knight Therapeutics Inc (GUD). Q2 earnings conference call 0830 Iamgold Corp (IMG). Q2 earnings conference call 0900 Torex Gold Resources Inc (TXG). Q2 earnings conference call 0900 Stantec Inc (STN). Q2 earnings conference call 1000 Intertape Polymer Group Inc (ITP). Q2 earnings conference call 1000 Northland Power Inc (NPI). Q2 earnings conference call 1000 Cineplex Inc (CGX). Q2 earnings conference call 1000 Franco-Nevada Corp (FNV). Q2 earnings conference call 1000 Tricon Capital Group Inc (TCN). Q2 earnings conference call 1000 Cott Corp (BCB). Q2 earnings conference call 1000 Saputo Inc (SAP). Annual Shareholders Meeting 1100 Brookfield Asset Management Inc (BAMa). Q2 earnings conference call 1100 Quebecor Inc (QBRb). Q2 earnings conference call 1100 Boralex Inc (BLX). Q2 earnings conference call 1100 Onex Corp (ONEX). Q2 earnings conference call 1100 Pan American Silver Corp (PAAS). Q2 earnings conference call 1300 Saputo Inc (SAP). Q1 earnings conference call 1600 WSP Global Inc (WSP). Q2 earnings conference call 1700 Linamar Corp (LNR). Q2 earnings conference call 1700 Altus Group Ltd (AIF). Q2 earnings conference call 1730 CCL Industries Inc (CCLb). Q2 earnings conference call

EXDIVIDENDS Frontera Energy Corp (FEC). Amount C$0.53

(All analysts' estimates are according to I/B/E/S Refinitiv data.)

3 PICTURE OF THE DAY

Pilots fly their paragliders during 16th FAI Paragliding World Championship in Krusevo, North Macedonia August 7. REUTERS/ Ognen Teofilovski

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