March 18 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index were flat on Monday amid mounting speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve will adopt a dovish tone at its two-day policy meeting from March 19.
The Fed is likely to leave its interest rate unchanged in a range of 2.25 percent to 2.50 percent and stick to the pledge of a "patient" approach to monetary policy. futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFc1 were down 0.01 percent at 7:05 a.m. ET.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE closed 52.37 points, or 0.33 percent, higher at 16,139.92 on Friday. Jones Industrial Average e-mini futures 1YMc1 were down 0.18 percent at 7:05 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-mini futures ESc1 were up 0.1 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures NQc1 were up 0.13 percent. .N
TOP STORIES TOP/CAN
With a federal election looming and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government facing its worst political crisis in four years, Canada's ruling Liberals are expected to table a goody-filled budget later this week in bid to get back on course with voters. is set to scrap its planned meeting in April and decide instead whether to extend oil output cuts in June, when the market will be able to assess the full impact of U.S. sanctions on Iran and the crisis in Venezuela. Canada AC.TO and United Airlines on Friday became the first major carriers in North America to warn of negative impacts on business due to the grounding of Boeing (NYSE:BA)'s BA.N 737 MAX planes. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RCH/CA
AutoCanada Inc ACQ.TO : National Bank of Canada cuts target price to C$10 from C$12.50
North West Co Inc NWC.TO : CIBC cuts target price to C$30 from C$31
Terago Inc TGO.TO : Canaccord Genuity initiates coverage with "buy" rating and C$12.50 price target
COMMODITIES AT 7:05 a.m. ET COM/WRAP
Gold futures GCc2 : $1,305.9; 0.23 pct GOL/
US crude CLc1 : $58.43; -0.15 pct O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 : $67.18; +0.03 pct O/R
U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE ON MONDAY
1000 NAHB Housing Market Index for Mar: Expected 63; Prior 62
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