Wall Street stock futures pointed to a higher start Wednesday after U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s upbeat remarks on the economy.

On Tuesday, Bernanke said the recession is likely over.

Wednesday’s U.S. data calendar features August consumer prices and industrial production data, along with the NAHB housing market survey for September.

Here at home, Statistics Canada releases its manufacturing survey for July.

Investors will also get a chance to hear executives from leading Canadian financial services companies review corporate strategies and discuss a variety of financial topics and trends at Scotia Capital’s Financial Summit Conference today and tomorrow.

In earnings news, tech bellwether Oracle reports quarterly results after the close of trade.

Overseas, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.5% while the U.K. FTSE 100 was 1.4% higher in midday trading.

On Tuesday, a surge in energy and materials stocks pulled the benchmark index of the Toronto Stock Exchange up more than 150 points on Tuesday.

The S&P/TSX composite index soared 163.79 points, or 1.4%, to close at 11,495.83.

Gains in commodity prices boosted the materials group by 2.5%.

A late-day surge in junior stocks helped the S&P/TSX Venture composite index finish with strong gains. It closed at 1,269.35, up 15.52 points, or 1.2%.

Markets in New York were bolstered by a report showing stronger-than-expected U.S. retail sales in August, and Bernanke’s positive comments on the U.S. economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average advanced by 56.61 points, or 0.6%, to end at 9,683.41, its highest closing level since early October.

The S&P 500 index also finished at its highest point since the beginning of October, gaining 3.29 points, or 0.3%, to 1,052.63.

The Nasdaq composite index gained 10.86 points, or 0.5%, to close at 2,102.64.

IE