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The Before the Bell report is constantly updated to reflect the latest news developments and market moves in the premarket. Check back later for updates.

North American stock markets are poised to extend their Monday rally this morning, as hopes are building that U.S.-led military action against Syria can be avoided. A fresh round of stronger-than-expected economic reports out of China overnight are also easing concerns about a potential slowdown in the Asian powerhouse economy.

The tech sector will be in the spotlight today, as Apple Inc. holds an event this afternoon where it is widely expected to unveil new iPhone models. And the debate continues over what the future holds for BlackBerry Ltd. now that its leaders have entered a "strategic review" that could lead to its sale. The Globe and Mail is reporting this morning that while Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. is courting some of Canada's largest pension plans to join it in a buyout consortium, none of the big funds have jumped on board with the idea. BlackBerry shares are down more than 3 per cent in the U.S. premarket. More on equities on the move today in the Stocks to Watch section below.

The Dow Jones industrial average enjoyed its best gains in two months on Monday, closing up 140 points with the help of comments from Secretary of State John Kerry suggesting that Syria would not face an attack if it surrendered its chemical weapons to the international community for destruction. Russia backs that proposal, and there are reports that Syria is welcoming the idea. U.S. President Barack Obama went on a media blitz Monday, telling television audiences that he wasn't confident that Congress would authorize a strike against Syria and speculated it would be a breakthrough if the country agreed to surrender its chemical weapons. Mr. Obama will make a televised speech to Americans this evening.

Prospects of an attack on Syria that could lead to further conflict in the Middle East has decreased the risk appetite of investors over the last couple of weeks but increased the price of crude oil and gold. Both those commodities are down this morning, which may make it difficult for the TSX to match the performance of the U.S. indexes.

But copper is edging up, getting further support today from more positive news on the economic front out of China. Industrial production in August rose 10.4 per cent from a year earlier, the country reported, picking up the pace from July's 9.7 per cent advance. Retail sales rose 13.4 per cent from a year earlier. They come in the wake of positive readings on the export sector, and on the inflation front, on Monday.

Almost all overseas markets are posting strong gains this morning. Here's a closer look at what's going on this morning and what's to come.

MARKETS:

Equities:

Futures: S&P 500 +0.69 per cent; Dow +0.63 per cent; Nasdaq +0.73 per cent; S&P Toronto +0.45 per cent

Hong Kong's Hang Seng +0.99 per cent

Shanghai composite index +1.15 per cent

Japan's Nikkei +1.53 per cent

London's FTSE 100 +1.00 per cent

Germany's DAX +1.98 per cent

France's CAC 40 +1.60 per cent

Commodities:

WTI crude oil (Nymex Oct) -1.73 per cent at $107.66 (U.S.) a barrel

Gold (Comex Dec) -1.41 per cent at $1,366.80 (U.S.) an ounce

Copper (Comex Dec) +0.11 per cent at $3.28 (U.S.) a pound

Currencies:

Canadian dollar at 96.79 (U.S.), up 0.0039 from yesterday's North American close.

U.S. dollar index up 0.11 at 81.91

Bonds:

U.S. 10-year Treasury yield 2.96 per cent, up 0.04

ECONOMIC INDICATORS TO WATCH:

Canadian housing starts in August fell 6.6 per cent from July to an annualized rate of 180,291. That was below forecasts of 190,000.

STOCKS TO WATCH:

Visa, Goldman Sachs and Nike are being added to the Dow Jones industrial average. Alcoa, Bank of America, and Hewlett-Packard are being removed. Visa, Nike and Goldman Sachs are all up about 2 per cent on the news; Alcoa and Hewlett-Packard are down about 1 per cent in the premarket. Bank of America is up 0.4 per cent.

BlackBerry shares are down 3.3 per cent in the U.S. premarket. The Globe and Mail is reporting this morning that while Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. is courting some of Canada's largest pension plans to join it in a buyout consortium, none of the big funds have jumped on board with the idea. That followed a report this past weekend from The Sunday Times of the UK that Fairfax has assembled billions of dollars in banking from Canadian pension funds. There are also unconfirmed reports this morning that the company has fired some of its sales force. The stock had risen about 6 per cent on Monday in reaction to The Sunday Times report.

Apple Inc. holds an event at 1 p.m. (ET) in which it is expected to unveil some new products, including updated iPhones. Key to investors may be the pricing on an expected lower-end smartphone. A low price could spur sales but cut into profit margins.

Rogers Communications Inc. could see some action today after the Globe and Mail reported it is nearing the end of its search for a new CEO and a British telecom executive has emerged as the front-runner.

ConAgra Foods Inc. estimated first-quarter profit below analysts' expectations due to weak sales at its consumer foods business. The company also cut its fiscal 2014 profit forecast. Shares are down 2 per cent in the premarket.

Crocs Inc. cut its earnings and revenues guidance for the third quarter. Shares are down 3.7 per cent in the premarket.

ANALYST ACTIONS:

Raymond James raised its price target on Dollarama to $78 (Canadian) from $75 and reiterated a "market perform" rating.

Macquarie upgraded ETrade to "outperform" from "neutral" and raised its price target to $19 from $13.50.

BMO Nesbitt Burns raised its price target on Centerra Gold to $10 (Canadian) and reiterated its "outperform" rating.

Credit Suisse downgraded D.R. Horton to "neutral" from "outperform."

Canaccord Genuity downgraded the North American auto and parts sector to "neutral" from "overweight."

THIS MORNING'S TOP INVESTING READS ON THE WEB:

An analysis on whether it's better to invest for dividends or for total returns.

A great infographic on how Apple's share price reacted to major product announcements of the past.

Tesla shares could be in line for a technical beating.

Thoughts on effective portfolios and how to avoid having just a pile of parts.

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For instant headlines on breaking economic and corporate news in the premarket, follow Darcy Keith on Twitter at @eyeonequities.

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