March 21 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index futures dipped on Wednesday as with investors brace for a near-certain raise U.S. interest rates and watch for signals from the Federal Reserve on how many more to expect for this year.
The Fed is expected to raise interest rates at its first policy meeting under Chairman Jerome Powell, and may signal more hikes are coming in response to tax cuts and government spending that could further stoke a robust U.S. economy. Fed is scheduled to issue its latest policy statement at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT), with Powell hold a press conference half an hour later.
June futures on the S&P TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.2 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, despite a gain of about 1 percent in oil prices.
Rising crude prices boosted Canada's main stock index on Tuesday, helping it rebound from a 10-day low the day before, while financial and technology shares also climbed. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were down 0.01 percent at 7:15 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were down 0.01 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were down 0.27 percent. .N
(Morning News Call newsletter http://tmsnrt.rs/2fwPLTh ; The Day Ahead newsletter http://tmsnrt.rs/2ggOmBi)
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
First Quantum Minerals FM.TO said on Tuesday that Zambia's tax agency had slapped it with 76.5 billion Zambian kwacha ($8.04 billion) bill for unpaid import duties, a potentially huge blow for the Canadian miner that earns most its profit in the southern African country. world's financial leaders rejected protectionism on Tuesday and urged "further dialogue" on trade, but failed to defuse the threat of a trade war days before U.S. metals tariffs take effect and Washington is to announce measures against China. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc ATDb.TO CIBC cuts price target to C$73 from C$77
COMMODITIES AT 7:15 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc1 : $1,315.6; +0.34 pct GOL/
U.S. crude CLc1 : $64.25; +1.12 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $68.26; +1.25 pct O/R
LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $6,735.5; -0.29 pct MET/L
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON WEDNESDAY
0830 Current account for Q4: Expected -125.0 bln; Prior -100.6 bln
1000 Existing home sales for Feb: Expected 5.40 mln; Prior 5.38 mln
1000 Existing home sales percentage change for Feb: Expected 0.5 pct; Prior -3.2 pct
1400 Fed funds target rate: Expected 1.625 pct; Prior 1.375 pct
1400 Fed interest on excess reserves: Prior 1.50 pct
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