April 17 (Reuters) - Canadian stock futures inched up on

Wednesday, tracking a rise in gold prices, as investors awaited

fresh cues about timing of interest rate cuts this year.

June futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.3% at

6:53 a.m. ET (10:53 GMT), mirroring gains in their Wall Street

peers.

Spot gold prices rose to near record-high levels as

risks of the Middle East conflict spreading to other regions

brought safe-haven flows into bullion, alongside short-term

support from falling U.S. dollar and Treasury yields.

Base metals also gained as supply worries outweighed demand

concerns.

On the flip side, oil prices slipped as likely higher U.S.

commercial inventories weighed, while weaker Chinese economic

data and dimmed prospects of interest rate cuts stoked worries

about global demand.

Data showed on Tuesday that Canada's core inflation measures

eased for a third consecutive month in March, strengthening bets

of a June rate cut by the Bank of Canada.

Investors awaited fresh clues to gauge when the central

banks' would commence their easing cycle, both at home and in

the United States.

Meanwhile, a new tax on wealthy individuals that will bring

in billions of dollars over the next five years to help fund

housing programs was revealed at the country's federal budget on

Tuesday.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index

ended 0.45% lower on Tuesday, tumbling to its lowest

point in over a month, and logging its longest losing streak

since October last year.

Meanwhile, corporate earnings in the U.S. continue to gain

momentum, with more financial institutions, among other

companies, set to report their results on Wednesday.

COMMODITIES AT 6:53 a.m. ET

Gold futures: $2,392.6; -0.1%

US crude: $84.56; -0.9%

Brent crude: $89.18; -0.9%