March 7 (Reuters) - Futures linked to Canada's primary

stock index held steady on Friday, although the benchmark was on

track for its biggest weekly fall in nearly six months.

The futures on the S&P/TSX index were down 1% at

6:25 a.m. ET (1125 GMT).

The S&P/TSX composite index dropped 286.78 points,

or 1.2%, on Thursday, settling at 24,584.04. The index was set

to drop 3.2% for the week, the biggest loss since September 2024

if losses hold post open.

Throughout the week, investors navigated a roller coaster of

trade uncertainties. On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump's

25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico took effect. But,

in the latest twist on Thursday, Trump announced an exemption

for goods from both nations under a North American trade pact,

lasting a month.

On the economic data front, Canada's labor report for

February is scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday.

Concurrently, the U.S. Labor Department's nonfarm payrolls

report is anticipated to reveal an addition of 160,000 jobs in

February.

Market participants will also be monitoring comments from

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at 12:30 p.m. ET, which

may offer clarity on the central bank's policy direction.

In the commodities sector, oil prices rose 1.34% on Friday,

but were still on course for a nearly 4% weekly decline.

Copper prices surged to their highest level in nearly five

months, buoyed by optimism over potential stimulus from China,

the world's leading consumer.

In corporate news, Circle-K owner Alimentation Couche-Tard ( ANCTF )

said on Friday that its top executives will visit Tokyo

to speak with media about its $47 billion bid to buy 7-Eleven

convenience store operator Seven & I Holdings ( SVNDF ).