July 16 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index futures

were flat on Tuesday, as gains in gold were offset by falling

crude prices, while markets awaited the domestic inflation data

for more clues on the next move by the Bank of Canada (BoC).

The S&P/TSX 60 futures were down 0.04% by 06:21

a.m. ET (1021 GMT). The benchmark index extended its record

rally on Monday boosted by gains in energy shares.

All eyes will be on Canada's consumer prices index (CPI)

reading at 8:30 a.m. ET, which is likely to show consumer

inflation moderated slightly in June on a yearly basis, while

remaining flat on a monthly basis.

Money markets currently see an 85% possibility of an

interest rate cut by the BoC in its next policy meeting on July

24.

Among sectors, the energy was set for a negative start on

Tuesday as oil prices fell on fragile demand

concerns from top consumer China, fueled by a

slower-than-expected economic growth in the world's

second-largest economy.

Gold prices firmed, set to lift the materials sector,

as comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

further backed the case for a rate cut in September. Meanwhile,

copper prices fell on China's weak economic data.

Fed Chair said on Monday a recent string of data "add

somewhat to confidence" that inflation was easing and suggested

rate cuts may not be far off.

The focus will also be on U.S. retail sales numbers at 8:30

a.m. ET to gauge the trajectory of inflation in the U.S.

In corporate news, Canadian miner Teck Resources ( TECK )

on Monday amended its cash tender offers by increasing the

maximum purchase amount to approximately $1.38 billion from

$1.25 billion.

COMMODITIES

Gold: $2441.67; +0.81%

US crude: $81.22; -0.8%

Brent crude: $84.22; -0.7%

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($1 = 1.3683 Canadian dollars)