(Updated at 10:15 a.m. ET/ 1415 GMT)

By Nikhil Sharma

Oct 23 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index slipped on

Wednesday due to falling commodity stocks, as investors

evaluated a half-point interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada

and anticipated further reductions in the future.

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

was down 54.78 points, or 0.22%, at 24,661.92.

The Canadian central bank slashed its borrowing costs by 50

basis points, bringing the benchmark rate to 3.75% from 4.25%,

and hailed signs of the country returning to a low-inflation

era.

The action came broadly in line with the market expectations

and was the first bigger-than-usual move in more than four

years.

Now the focus has shifted to the top bank's December policy

meeting where traders are pricing in 94.3% chance of a

25-basis-point reduction.

"The fact that the overnight rate is still above the neutral

rate is supportive of more cuts," said Ian Chong, portfolio

manager at First Avenue Investment Counsel.

Neutral rates are rates that neither restrict nor stimulate

economic growth. BoC estimates this range to be between 2.25%

and 3.25%. With inflation slipping below the bank's 2% target,

concerns about economic growth provide the BoC with a cushion to

consider more rate cuts.

Among sectors, Canada's heavyweight energy sector

fell 0.7% as oil prices dropped after industry data showed U.S.

crude inventories swelled more than expected.

The materials sector fell 0.8% as gold prices

slipped after hitting a record high amid uncertainty around U.S.

elections, while losses in copper prices also affected the

sector.

In contrast, industrials and consumer

discretionary stocks rose 0.3% and 0.4%,

respectively.

Among individual stocks, First Quantum Minerals ( FQVLF ) rose

1.6% after copper miner beat third-quarter profit estimates.

Domestic markets also took cues from Wall Street where the

benchmark S&P 500 fell 0.45% as Treasury yields continued

to rise..