Oct 24 (Reuters) - Futures tied to Canada's main stock

index rose on Thursday, aided by higher crude and metal prices,

after the Bank of Canada lowered its policy rates by 50 basis

points the previous day.

December futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.5%

at 6:02 a.m. ET (10:02 GMT).

Canada's energy sector could rebound as oil prices jumped

around 2% due to supply concerns stemming from conflict in the

Middle East and reports of North Korean troops ready to help

Russia in Ukraine.

The materials sector could benefit from rising gold prices

driven by higher demand amid geopolitical tensions and U.S.

election uncertainty, while higher copper prices could also lend

support.

The composite index ended lower for the third

straight session on Wednesday, pressured by declines in resource

and technology shares.

The Canadian central bank on Wednesday slashed its interest

rate by a larger-than-usual half point, bringing it down to

3.75% from 4.25%, and hailed signs that the country has returned

to an era of low inflation.

The move was highly anticipated by investors, who have now

shifted their focus to the BoC's December policy meeting, with

markets seeing a slim 18.6% chance of another outsized rate cut.

Across the border, Wall Street futures also rose on Thursday

as an upbeat forecast from Tesla kicked off mega-cap earnings on

a positive note.

Among major datasets, S&P Global flash PMI and weekly

jobless claims are due later in the day.

In corporate news, Canadian miner Teck Resources ( TECK )

beat third-quarter profit estimates, helped by higher production

of copper at its Quebrada Blanca (QB) mine.

COMMODITIES

Gold: $2,736.7; +0.7%

US crude: $72.19; +2.0%

Brent crude: $76.38; +1.9%

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