Sept 9 (Reuters) - Futures tied to Canada's

commodity-heavy main stock index inched up on Tuesday, lifted by

gains in oil and gold, while markets stayed optimistic about a

potential interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada later this

month.

Futures on the S&P/TSX index gained 0.16% to

1,721.20 points by 06:25 a.m. ET (1025 GMT). The benchmark index

fell on Monday, snapping an eight-session winning streak.

Gold was set to hit another record high on Tuesday, driven

by growing bets on a U.S. rate cut.

Expectations that the BoC and the U.S. Federal Reserve will

resume their easing cycles have supported sentiment since

Friday, following disappointing jobs data from both the United

States and Canada.

Investors assign a 92.5% probability that the Bank of

Canada will lower its benchmark rate from 2.75% on Sept. 17.

Among other commodities, oil and copper prices edged higher.

Markets were also assessing multiple mergers and

acquisitions deals.

London-listed miner Anglo American and Canada's Teck

Resources ( TECK ) said on Tuesday they plan to merge, in what

would be the biggest mining-sector M&A deal in more than a

decade.

Separately, the bidding war for Canadian oil sands producer

MEG Energy ( MEGEF ) heated up as Strathcona Resources ( STHRF )

raised its offer to outbid larger rival Cenovus Energy ( CVE ).

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