Sept 3 (Reuters) - Futures tied to Canada's main stock

index was flat on Wednesday as investors stayed cautious ahead

of key economic data that could shape the Bank of Canada's

interest rate decision later this month.

Futures on the S&P/TSX index gained 0.01% to

1,696.30 points by 06:50 a.m. ET (1050 GMT). The benchmark index

edged up to a record high on Tuesday.

Investors will closely watch Canada's unemployment data due

on Friday for potential signals that could guide the central

bank's rate-cut path later this month.

The BoC has kept rates steady at 2.75% at its last three

meetings since March.

Data showed on Tuesday, Canada's manufacturing sector

contracted in August for the seventh straight month as U.S.

tariffs weighed on export demand.

Meanwhile, Wall Street closed sharply lower in the first

trading session of September as investors weighed a court ruling

suggesting most of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs may be

illegal, while a spike in longer-dated Treasury yields pressured

equities.

In commodities, gold surged to a fresh record high and

copper prices were steady, while oil prices fell by more than 1%

on Wednesday.

In corporate news, Canadian oil and gas producer Strathcona

Resources ( STHRF ) said it has purchased additional 6.66 million

common shares of rival MEG Energy ( MEGEF ) for about C$190.8

million ($138.09 million).

Focus will also be on U.S. job openings data for July later

in the day.

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