July 15 (Reuters) - Futures tracking Canada's blue-chip

stock index were little changed on Wednesday, as investors

assessed worsening Middle East tensions and awaited the Bank of

Canada's decision on interest rates.

September contracts tracking the resources-heavy S&P/TSX

Composite index were flat at 2089.60 points at 05:58 am

ET.

* The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its key policy rate

unchanged, as worries over a recent uptick in inflation remain

contained and economic growth remains sluggish. The data is

expected around 9:45 am ET later in the day.

* Oil prices inched up after U.S. President Donald Trump

reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and Tehran

threatened to close "all other export corridors that benefit the

U.S. and its allies."

* Brent crude futures traded around $85.18 per

barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures climbed to

$79.83 a barrel.

* Gold slipped as rising energy prices fueled inflation

concerns. Spot gold and silver were down 0.6% and

0.5% respectively.

* Focus is also on the U.S. PPI data, expected at 08:30 am,

and U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's address, due around

10:00 am ET.

* In company news, Cogeco Communications ( CGEAF ) is set to

release its third-quarter results later in the day. Analysts

estimate the nation's sixth-largest communication services

company to report earnings of C$2.09 per share, according to

data compiled by LSEG.

* Separately, Canadian home sales posted a modest increase

in June following a robust jump the previous month, and prices

remained unchanged, data by the Canadian Real Estate Association

showed on Wednesday.

FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:

TSX market report

Canadian dollar and bonds report

Reuters global stocks poll for Canada

Canadian markets directory