(Reuters) – Futures tied to Canada’s main stock index edged higher on Tuesday, supported by crude prices, as cautious investors awaited the outcome of the high-stakes U.S. presidential election.
December futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.3% at 6:03 a.m. ET (11:03 GMT).
The U.S. election kept investors on edge as opinion polls showed Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris virtually tied in their bid to win the White House.
Wall Street futures were subdued as investors focused on the election day.[.N]
While it could take days to declare the final winner, key focus will be on the battleground states of Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada.
With the United States being Canada’s biggest trading partner, the election outcome could have significant impact on the Canadian economy and will be closely watched by domestic investors.
Canada’s energy sector came under focus on Tuesday as oil prices inched up after rising more than 2% in the previous session. [O/R]
Materials shares could take cues from eased gold prices and higher copper prices. [GOL/] [MET/L]
Later in the day, minutes of the Bank of Canada’s October policy meeting, which resulted in a 50-basis-point interest-rate cut, would give more insights into the country’s policy easing cycle.
The TSX composite index was barely changed on Monday as gains in the energy sector countered a sharp drop in BCE shares after the company agreed to buy Ziply Fiber.
In corporate news, Sun Life reported a better-than-expected third-quarter profit as Canada’s second-largest life insurer benefited from robust growth in its domestic and U.S. businesses.
COMMODITIES
Gold: $2,740.06; +0.1% [GOL/]
US crude: $71.69; +0.3% [O/R]
Brent crude: $75.33; +0.3% [O/R]
FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:
TSX market report [.TO]
Canadian dollar and bonds report [CAD/] [CA/]
Reuters global stocks poll for Canada
Canadian markets directory
($1 = 1.3885 Canadian dollars)
(Reporting by Nikhil Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas)