CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures muted ahead of BoC decision; investors assess Middle East tensions

- Futures tracking Canada's blue-chip stock index were little changed on Wednesday, as investors assessed worsening Middle East tensions and awaited the Bank of Canada's decision on interest rates.

September contracts tracking the resources-heavy S&P/TSX Composite index SXFc1 were flat at 2089.60 points at 05:58 am ET.

  • The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its key policy rate unchanged, as worries over a recent uptick in inflation remain contained and economic growth remains sluggish. The data is expected around 9:45 am ET later in the day.

  • Oil prices inched up after U.S. President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and Tehran threatened to close "all other export corridors that benefit the U.S. and its allies."

  • Brent crude futures LCOc1 traded around $85.18 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures CLc1 climbed to $79.83 a barrel.O/R

  • Gold slipped as rising energy prices fueled inflation concerns. Spot gold XAU= and silver XAG= were down 0.6% and 0.5% respectively. GOL/

  • Focus is also on the U.S. PPI data, expected at 08:30 am, and U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's address, due around 10:00 am ET.

  • In company news, Cogeco Communications CCA.TO is set to release its third-quarter results later in the day. Analysts estimate the nation's sixth-largest communication services company to report earnings of C$2.09 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

  • Separately, Canadian home sales posted a modest increase in June following a robust jump the previous month, and prices remained unchanged, data by the Canadian Real Estate Association showed on Wednesday.



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