(There will be no Canada equities report on Dec. 25 and Dec.

26, respectively; Reuters will resume coverage on Dec. 27.)

(Updates after market open)

By Ragini Mathur

Dec 24 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index was flat on

Tuesday in thinner-than-usual trading volume, as investors

clocked in for a half-day session on Christmas Eve.

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

was up 1.78 points, or 0.01%, at 24,750.76.

Markets are expected to close at 1:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday on

account of a half day for Christmas Eve, while trading volume is

expected to remain thin in the final days of the year.

"I think we borrowed earlier this year from the Santa Claus

rally, meaning the gains you would normally have seen this time

of year, we have probably already have experienced those gains

earlier in November," said Allan Small, senior investment

advisor at Allan Small Financial Group with iA Private Wealth

Among sectors, Real Estate and Information

Technology led the gains and added 0.4% each. Consumer

Staples lost 0.3%.

The benchmark index is set to end 2024 with stellar gains,

rising 18.1% as of last close, having received support from the

policy easing cycles in Canada and the United States.

In 2025, focus will particularly be on what Donald Trump

does after he takes power following his victory in the

presidential election in November, given his tariff threats to

Canada.

Earlier this month, the Bank of Canada slashed its key

policy rate by 50 basis points, but warned further easing will

be more gradual.

Markets predict a 68.2% chance of a 25 bps cut in next

year's first policy meeting on Jan. 29.

Additionally, political worries in Canada seemed to escalate

further as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose party looks set

to lose power early next year, is under pressure from his own

legislators to step down and let someone else take over.