North American stocks are set to open little changed Tuesday, as traders await a wave of U.S. economic data and the Bank of Canada’s pronouncement on interest rates.

The Canadian dollar opened at US87.6¢, down 0.1 of a cent. The Bank of Canada will announce its interest rate decision at 9:00. ET, with most observers expecting a stand-pat position.

In today’s news, U.S. productivity growth was mildly stronger during the summer than first thought, while unit labour costs were revised sharply lower for two quarters.

Nonfarm business sector productivity increased 0.2% during July through September, the U.S. Labor Department said today. Originally, Labor said productivity was unchanged during the third quarter.

Wall Street expected an upward revision in productivity for the third quarter — but a bigger one. Economists say productivity rising at a 0.5% annual rate.

The U.S. Institute of Supply Management’s nonmanufacturing gauge for November is expected to decline to 55.7% from 57.1% last month — well above the 50 reading that indicates economic expansion, and the 49.5% level that the manufacturing poll fell to last week.

In earnings news, Toll Brothers said its net profit fell 44% in its fiscal fourth quarter amid a home-building slowdown and the luxury-home builder said fiscal 2007 profit may decline by as much as 62%, but it also raised hopes on a turnaround in the housing market.

HSBC Holdings reported that third-quarter revenue didn’t grow as fast as it had in the first half of the year, due to its investment-banking division.

Crude-oil prices rose 65 cents to $63.09 a barrel.

Overseas,the FTSE 100 rose in London

In Hong Kong, the blue-chip Hang Seng Index gained 241.46 points, or 1.3%, to 18,944.19.

Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index shed 37.83 points, or 0.23%, to 16,265.76.

Toronto stocks moved up Monday, setting a fresh record close, and despite a drop in oil prices, on the strength of the materials and financials sectors.

The S&P/TSX composite index gained 93.92 points, or 0.74%, to 12,848.67, its fourth consecutive positive session.

Eight of the 10 TSX main sub-groups were up, with information technology flat and only energy, down 0.12%, down on the day.

The S&P TSX Venture composite index slipped 12.99 points, or 0.46%, to 2,837.67.

In New York, lower crude prices and merger news fuelled a rally in the major U.S. markets.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 89.72 points, or 0.74%, to 12,283.85, the Nasdaq Composite index gained 35.18, or 1.46%, to 2,448.39, and the S&P500 lifted 12.41, or 0.89%, to 1,409.12.