March 5 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock
index edged up on Tuesday, tracking a rise in gold prices, while
cautious investor sentiment ahead of the Bank of Canada's
interest rate decision and economic data in the United States
this week limited gains.
March futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.1% at
7:10 a.m. ET (1210 GMT).
Monthly figures on U.S. services sector and factory orders
data are due after the opening bell which could offer clarity on
the health of the country's economy.
Labor market reports in the U.S. are also scheduled through
the week, which could guide expectations on the timeline of
interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, alongside Fed Chair
Jerome Powell's congressional appearances.
Back home, the BoC is set to announce its next monetary
policy decision on Wednesday, where markets are widely expecting
the central bank to hold rates.
But money markets participants are pricing in about a 51%
chance of a 25-basis-point cut in June.
Materials-linked shares were on track to gain for the fourth
session as gold headed towards record highs, driven by mounting
hopes of the Fed's first interest rate cut in June.
Nonferrous metals, however, fell on a firmer dollar and
disappointment from the lack of fresh supportive measures from
China.
Oil also slipped as concerns over China's plan for growth
and uncertainty over the pace of U.S. interest rate cuts offset
the prospect of a tighter market due to continued OPEC+ supply
restraint.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index
ended lower on Monday, weighed by declines in energy
shares.
The Canada Energy Regulator said on Monday it had approved a
toll settlement between pipeline operator Enbridge ( ENB ) and
shippers for moving oil along the Canadian mainline.
COMMODITIES AT 7:10 a.m. ET
Gold futures: $2,132.8; +0.3%
US crude: $78.47; -0.3%
Brent crude: $82.66; -0.2%