The main stock index of Canada is expected to operate almost stable this Thursday, awaiting the release of U.S. inflation data to help determine sentiment as the end of the year approaches.

The S&P/TSX composite index of the Toronto Stock Exchange closed Wednesday down 0.1%, or 13 points, at 31,250.02, with advancing stocks outnumbering declining ones by 455 to 420, while 95 remained unchanged.

U.S. CPI could boost sentiment

Investors have been apprehensive this week as they try to gauge the strength of the American economy, the main driver of global growth, and consequently, the path of U.S. interest rates next year.

This week's economic data signaled a slowing American labor market, with the Labor Department's employment report showing the unemployment rate at its highest level in more than four years, at 4.6% last month.

Now it's time for the second component of the U.S. Federal Reserve's dual mandate to come into focus this Thursday, with inflation data under the spotlight.

The core CPI index is expected to reach 3.1% year-on-year, a slight increase from the price pressures observed in the most recent consumer inflation report in September (the October report will not be released due to the U.S. government shutdown).$BNB $ETH