March 29 (Reuters) - Canada's benchmark stock index was set for a higher open on Wednesday, supported by higher crude oil prices amid easing worries of turmoil in the global banking sector.
March futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.8% at 7:12 a.m. ET.
Oil prices rose for a third straight session as a halt in some exports from Iraqi Kurdistan raised concerns of tightening supply.
Among stocks, brokerage Credit Suisse upgraded its rating on oil transportation firm Enbridge Inc (ENB.TO) to "neutral" from "underperform".
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday presented a budget in parliament that was aimed at attracting investment in the low-carbon economy and also included a "grocery rebate" for 11 million low-income Canadians.
In the previous session, the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) ended 0.2% higher, led by gains in energy and materials sectors.
Dow e-minis were up 227 points, or 0.7%, at 7:12 a.m. ET, while S&P 500 e-minis were up 32.5 points, or 0.81%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 101.5 points, or 0.8%.
COMMODITIES AT 7:12 a.m. ET
Gold futures : $1,969.4; -0.2%
US crude : $74; +1.1%
Brent crude : $79.36; +1%
U.S. DATA DUE ON WEDNESDAY
Feb pending home sales data due at 10 a.m. ET
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($1 = 1.3597 Canadian dollars)
