March 17 (Reuters) - Futures tracking Canada's main stock index gained on Friday, boosted by higher commodity prices, as concerns of a global banking meltdown ease on supportive measures.
Futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.1% at 6:45 a.m. ET (1045 GMT), while their U.S. counterparts were mixed.
U.S. stock index futures struggled for direction as investors remained wary about a potential banking crisis.
The benchmark Canadian index (.GSPTSE) closed higher on Thursday, bouncing back from a 1.6% fall in the previous session, as fears began to ease after major U.S. banks offered a $30 billion lifeline for beleaguered First Republic Bank (FRC.N), while Credit Suisse also received an emergency liquidity line from the Swiss central bank.
Commodity prices tend to influence the resources-heavy TSX. Commodity-linked stocks account for nearly 31% of the index.
Oil prices firmed after a meeting between Saudi Arabia and Russia calmed markets amid strong demand expectations from China.
Gold prices edged higher against a weaker dollar, while most base metals rallied, boosted by easing concerns over a banking crisis.
In earnings, financial services company Power Corporation of Canada (POW.TO) reported less-than-expected fourth-quarter profit.
Algonquin Power & Utilities (AQN.TO) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings.
Among domestic data, investors await February producer prices data before markets open.
