Aug 26 (Reuters) - Futures tracking Canada's main stock

index fell on Tuesday as investors assessed earnings releases

from top domestic banks, while concerns over the U.S. Federal

Reserve's independence sparked risk aversion.

Futures on the S&P/TSX index dropped 0.28% by

06:05 a.m. ET (1005 GMT), pointing to a weaker start to the day

after the index ended 0.58% lower in the prior

session.

Bank of Montreal ( BNKD ) reported a rise in third-quarter

profit, helped by higher income from interest and as it set

aside less in provisions for potential loan losses.

Bank of Nova Scotia ( BNS ) also posted a rise in quarterly

profit on the back of higher interest earnings.

The earnings are reflective of seemingly easing trade

tensions, with banks having realised that the implications of

U.S. tariffs on loan portfolios would be less than feared.

Prime Minister Mark Carney last week announced plans to

remove some retaliatory import tariffs on U.S. goods and

intensify talks with President Donald Trump on striking a new

trade deal.

Meanwhile, global risk sentiment worsened after Trump

announced he was dismissing Fed Governor Lisa Cook over alleged

improprieties in obtaining mortgage loans, marking another move

to jeopardise the central bank's independence.

The move also undermines confidence in U.S. assets -

including the dollar, which edged lower - allowing safe-haven

gold to rise against the greenback.

Wall Street futures were trading lower as well on Tuesday.

A drop in crude prices, which pulled back after surging

nearly 2% in the previous session, added to the pressure on

Canadian futures.

On a data-light day, focus will be on U.S. consumer

confidence numbers for August at 10:00 a.m. ET.

FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:

TSX market report

Canadian dollar and bonds report

Reuters global stocks poll for Canada

Canadian markets directory

($1 = 1.3817 Canadian dollars)