July 18 (Reuters) - Canadian stock futures were little changed on Tuesday even as oil prices steadied on expectations of firm demand matching ample supply.
September futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were up 0.02 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's main stock index edged lower on Monday as data showing a slowdown in the housing market weighed on the outlook for financials, offsetting gains for the materials group as metal prices climbed. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were up 0.03 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were down 0.03 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were down 0.02 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Lending to Canadian small businesses picked up in May on stronger activity in the agriculture and consumer sectors, data showed on Tuesday, suggesting companies were becoming more willing to invest two years after a slump in oil prices hit the economy. Inc's TMB.TO largest shareholder, Oaktree Capital Management LP, asked other shareholders to reject Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc's RYAM.N deal to buy the Canadian paper and cellulose pulp maker, saying it was a "flawed" sale process. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Air Canada AC.TO : Macquarie cuts rating to "neutral" from "outperform"
Westjet Airlines Ltd WJA.TO : Macquarie cuts rating to "underperform" from "neutral"
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,236.2; +0.28 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $46.42; +0.87 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $48.89; +0.97 pct O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $5,978; -0.3 pct MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON TUESDAY
0830 Import prices mm for June: Expected -0.2 pct; Prior -0.3 pct
0830 Export prices mm for June: Expected 0.0 pct; Prior -0.7 pct
1000 NAHB Housing Market Index for July: Expected 67; Prior 67
1600 Net L-T flows, exswaps for May: Prior $1.8 bln
1600 Foreign buying, T-bonds for May: Prior -$22.5 bln
1600 Overall net capital flow for May: Prior $65.8 bln
1600 Net L-T flows, including swaps for May: Prior -$11.2 bln
FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:
TSX market report .TO
Canadian dollar and bonds report CAD/ CA/
Reuters global stocks poll for Canada EQUITYPOLL1 EPOLL/CA
Canadian markets directory CANADA ($1= C$1.26)