March 19 (Reuters) - Futures pointed to a lower opening for Canada's main stock index on Monday as markets remained nervous ahead of a U.S. central bank meeting later this week.
While it is near certain that the Federal Reserve will raise rates by a quarter basis point on Wednesday, investors are more focused on whether policymakers think economic conditions are strong enough for four hikes this year, one more than the markets expect.
June futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.12 percent at 8:15 a.m. ET.
Canada's main stock index ended higher on Friday as strength in the price of U.S. crude oil helped drive up shares in energy companies. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were down 0.4 percent at 8:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were down 0.42 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were down 1.08 percent. .N
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TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, one of Canada's biggest public pension funds, has relied on private equity firms to invest in leveraged corporate buyouts. Now it is building its own investing team to depend less on buyout firms as middle men. Energy Inc CVE.TO is seeking a partner to fund C$1.3 billion ($993.1 million) in costs to build the supporting infrastructure at its Narrows Lake oil sands project in Alberta, two people familiar with the matter said on Friday. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Autocanada Inc ACQ.TO : RBC raises rating to outperform from sector perform
Enbridge Inc ENB.TO : CIBC cuts price target to C$60 from C$63
TransCanada Corp TRP.TO : CIBC cuts price target to C$76 from C$77
COMMODITIES AT 8:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1,308.6; -0.21 pct GOL/
U.S. crude CLc1 : $62.23; -0.18 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $66.21; was unchanged 0 pct O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $6,819.5; -0.99 pct MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON MONDAY
No major economic events are scheduled.
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