CANADA STOCKS-TSX may open higher as world stocks rise

TORONTO, March 11 (Reuters) - Toronto's key stock index could climb at the open on Wednesday, after shooting up 4 percent in the previous session, tracking global equities higher and supported by firmness in the price of gold.

World equities rose on Wednesday on bank hopes [ID:nLB647450], while U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open, building on the gains made in the previous session when they posted the biggest rise in four months. [ID:nLB716682]

However, the resource-laden Toronto market could be pressured by weakness in the price of oil CLc1 ahead of U.S. fuel stocks data, while base metals were mostly soft.

On Tuesday, the S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE closed up 313.47 points, or 4.14 percent, at 7,880.41 after Citigroup (C.N) said it was profitable during the first two months of 2009, raising hopes about the battered U.S. financial system.

Here is some news that could affect the market:

BOMBARDIER INC (BBDb.TO)

Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) said on Wednesday it ordered 30 Bombardier Inc C-series aircraft with deliveries set to start in 2014. [ID:nWEA1666]

TRANSAT AT INC (TRZb.TO)

Travel company Transat AT Inc reported a bigger quarterly loss and suspended its dividend as margins for North American travel packages shrank. [ID:nWNAB2718]

AETERNA ZENTARIS INC (AEZ.TO)

Biopharmaceuticals company Aeterna Zentaris Inc (AEZ.TO) reported a quarterly loss, hurt by lower sales and royalties and falling manufacturing margins. [ID:nN11257645]

OIL SLIPS

Oil fell back towards $45 a barrel, extending a near 3 percent drop in the previous session ahead of the release of the U.S. fuel stocks data expected at 1430 GMT .[ID:nSP383602]

GOLD, BASE METALS

Gold rose above $900 an ounce in Europe as bargain hunters took advantage of the previous session's near 3 percent losses, [ID:nLB647267] while base metals were soft. [ID:nLB183049]

BARRICK GOLD CORP (ABX.TO)