Futures tracking Canada's blue-chip stocks edged higher on Friday, supported by firmer gold prices after a weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data tempered bets for a near-term Federal Reserve interest rate hike.

September futures eked up 0.1% Friday.

The TSX Composite Index gained 109.68 points to end Thursday at 34,966.67.

The Canadian dollar hesitated 0.05 cents at 70.42 cents U.S.

Among individual stocks, Australian miner BHP Group has agreed to transfer its San Manuel property in Arizona to Faraday Copper in exchange for a 30% stake in the Canadian miner, as Faraday seeks to develop a copper hub around its adjacent Copper Creek project.

Elsewhere, AtkinsRealis anticipates that Turkey will complete an early review of its CANDU reactors following an information exchange later this summer, which may lead to concrete talks for a nuclear plant bid, a top company official said.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 sprang back 1.5% Friday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng leaped 1.3%.

Oil prices fell 0.45 cents to 68.24 cents U.S. a barrel.

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Gold prices jumped $69.60 to $4,195.30 U.S an ounce.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange was up 17.48 points Thursday, or 2%, to 914.38.

ON WALLSTREET

Equities in the United States were closed due to the 4th of July holiday.