March 31 (Reuters) - Futures linked to Canada's main stock index rose on
Tuesday as investors balanced hopes of U.S. President Donald Trump ending the
Iran war with concerns over supply shocks from a prolonged Strait of Hormuz
closure.
June futures on the S&P/TSX composite index were up 0.8% as of 5:39
a.m. ET.
* Trump told aides he was willing to halt the military campaign against Iran
even if the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed, leaving efforts to reopen
the waterway for later, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing
administration officials.
* He had earlier warned that the United States would "obliterate" Iran's
energy plants and oil wells if Tehran failed to restore access to the strait.
* Oil prices swung sharply on the shifting geopolitical signals.
* Gold rose on Tuesday but stayed on track for its biggest monthly drop in
over 17 years as investors piled into the dollar amid the Middle East war and
rising inflation worries.
* The conflict has revived concerns about a fresh inflation hit to the
global economy, with central banks, including the Bank of Canada to reassess
policy, with traders now pricing in nearly four rate hikes by year-end.
* Canada's main stock index is on track to close the first quarter
with slim gains, its weakest performence in about two years, if broader losses
hold through the end of the session.
* The benchmark is down about 7% for the month, poised for its worst showing
since June 2022.
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(Reporting by Rashika Singh in Bengaluru)