March 3 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock

index slipped on Tuesday, as a global stocks rout deepened amid

a widening conflict in the Middle East, while prices of precious

metals fell on a stronger U.S. dollar.

March futures on the S&P/TSX composite index were

down 1.93%, as of 5:36 a.m. ET.

The selloff in global stocks deepened on Monday as the

conflict in Middle East spiked energy prices, raising fears of

inflation among investors.

U.S. S&P 500 e-mini futures were down 1.8%, and

Nasdaq 100 E-minis fell 2.3%.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday sought to justify a

broad, open-ended war on Iran, while indicating a shift in aims

and timeline since the war began.

Oil prices extended gains as traders assessed supply risks

from threats to shipping via the Strait of Hormuz, which carries

around of one-fifth of oil consumed globally. Brent crude

futures and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude

were up more than 6% each.

Meanwhile, spot gold fell 0.9% and silver

dropped more than 6%, as a stronger U.S. dollar put pressure on

the prices of precious metals, offsetting continued safe-haven

demand triggered by the escalating U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reached Australia on

Tuesday, as the country seeks to diversify trade relations

beyond the U.S. Carney is on a multi-leg trip across the

Asia-Pacific region, also taking in Japan and India.

In after-market earnings on Monday, Capstone Copper ( CSCCF )

reported quarterly profit below estimates. The copper producer's

Australia-listed shares closed 8.1% lower on Tuesday.

Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index

FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:

TSX market report

Canadian dollar and bonds report

Reuters global stocks poll for Canada

Canadian markets directory