April 12 (Reuters) - Canada's stock index futures rose

on Friday, lifted by surging commodity prices, as investors

cautiously track big bank earnings in the U.S., which will kick

off the corporate earnings season.

June futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.4% at

6:40 a.m. ET (10:40 GMT).

Gold prices hit a record peak as geopolitical risks and

economic concerns surrounding China attracted robust demand,

while copper prices continued their upward march.

Energy shares could see a rebound as heightened tensions in

the Middle East raised the risk of supply disruptions and

boosted oil prices.

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

closed 0.4% lower on Thursday, after touching its

lowest intraday level since March-end.

The index is set to log a weekly decline as a hot inflation

reading in the U.S. dampened hopes of a June rate cut, and the

Bank of Canada held its rates steady on Wednesday.

Investors will monitor the crucial consumer prices index

(CPI) reading in Canada next week, after BoC Governor Tiff

Macklem hinted the central bank was open to a June cut if the

recent cooling trend in inflation was sustained.

Across the border, another season of corporate earnings

commenced in the U.S., with JPMorgan Chase & Co ( JPM )

reporting a higher first-quarter profit, while Wells Fargo &

Co's ( WFC ) profit fell more than 7%.

In Canadian corporate news, Brookfield Asset Management ( BAM )

is in advanced talks to acquire a majority stake in

private credit manager Castlelake with an investment of more

than $1.5 billion, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

COMMODITIES AT 6:40 a.m. ET

Gold futures: $2,404.9; +1.9%

US crude: $86.17; +1.4%

Brent crude: $90.81; +1.2%