Sept 4 (Reuters) - Futures tied to Canada's main stock

index inched up on Thursday as investors awaited key employment

data that could influence the Bank of Canada's September

interest-rate decision.

Futures on the S&P/TSX index gained 0.4% to

1,710.90 points by 06:17 a.m. ET (1017 GMT). The benchmark index

rose to another record high on Wednesday.

Both Canada and the U.S. are due to release employment

reports for August on Friday. Economists forecast that Canada's

economy added 10,000 jobs and the country's unemployment rate

rose to 7% from 6.9% a month earlier.

The data follow last week's GDP report that showed Canada's

economy contracted more than expected in the second quarter,

prompting markets to expect that the BoC may move to cut

interest rates.

Money markets see a 68.5% chance of a 25-basis-point

interest-rate cut at the September 17 meeting. The benchmark

rate is at 2.75%. 0#CADIRPR

Investors will also watch U.S. President Donald Trump's

nominee, economic advisor Stephen Miran, testify in a Senate

confirmation hearing on Thursday to fill Fed Governor Adriana

Kugler's seat, which she resigned from last month.

In commodities, oil and gold prices declined while copper

prices retreated across major exchanges on Thursday.

Separate data showed that Greater Toronto Area home sales

fell for the first time in five months in August and prices

edged lower.

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