Sept 12 (Reuters) - Futures tied to Canada's main stock

index edged lower on Friday as investors paused after two weeks

of record rallies and turned their focus to a potential

interest-rate cut by the Bank of Canada next week.

Futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFcv1 fell 0.1% to 1,737

points by 06:26 a.m. ET (1026 GMT).

The benchmark index on Thursday notched another record high

as U.S. data supported bets on interest-rate cuts by the Federal

Reserve.

U.S. consumer prices rose more than expected in August, but

a surge in first-time applications for unemployment aid last

week kept the Fed on track to cut interest rates next Wednesday.

The odds that the BoC will also resume its easing cycle on

September 17 rose after data released last Friday showed that

Canada's economy shed 65,500 jobs in August, while the

unemployment rate climbed to 7.1%.

Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's

announcement of five major projects aimed at diversifying the

economy and reducing reliance on the U.S., as tariffs take a

toll, contributed to Thursday's gains.

The projects will be eligible for fast-track approvals as

part of a broader campaign.

In commodities, gold prices rose and copper futures were

headed for a weekly rise on Friday, while oil prices steadied.

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