North American markets look headed for a strong start Thursday, boosted by positive data on U.S. consumer prices and retail sales, and strong earnings from Apple Computer.

After market closed Wednesday, Apple reported a more than fourfold increase in fiscal third quarter net income on a 75% jump in revenue, continuing a growth streak driven by strong sales of the iPod digital-music player and Macintosh personal computer. The results exceeded analysts’ estimates.

In this morning’s economic news, the U.S. Labor Department said the consumer price index was unchanged in June as declines in energy prices offset gains in prices of food and housing. The core index, which excludes food and energy items, rose by a moderate 0.1% for a second month in a row. Economists called for a 0.2% increase in both the overall index and the core index.

Separately, Labor said initial jobless claims rose by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted level of 336,000 in the week that ended July 9. Economists forecast a gain of 5,000.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department said retail sales increased a seasonally adjusted 1.7%, after sliding 0.3% in May. Economists predicted a 1.0% advance in retail sales.

Here at home, Statistics Canada said manufacturers’ shipments were essentially unchanged in May at $50.2 billion. The government agency said unfilled orders increased for the fourth time in five months.

In other economic news, oil prices dipped below the US$60 mark in Thursday morning trading after U.S. government figures showed a growth of domestic fuel stocks and the International Energy Agency predicted cooling global demand.

In today’s earnings news, Nexen Inc.said its second-quarter profit rose to $200 million from a year-earlier $143 million on higher fuel production and prices

On Wednesday, Toronto stocks closed slightly lower Wednesday, while New York markets ticked up, as trade balance data released on both sides of the border had opposite effects.

Statistics Canada reported the trade surplus was just under $4 billion in May, down from $5.1 billion in April, and lower than the expected $4.7 billion.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported the national trade deficit shrank by 2.7% to US$55.3 billion, lower than the expected US$57 billion.

The S&P/TSX composite index finished down 4.42, or 0.04%, to 10,203.50.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index finished down 7.95, or 0.46%, to close 1,716.31.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average improved 43.50, or 0.41%, to 10,557.39; the Nasdaq composite index advanced .96, or 0.04%, to 2,114.11; and the S&P 500 gained 1.08, or 0.09%, to 1,223.29.