April 8 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index were muted Monday as falling oil prices countered gains from rising gold, while investors awaited a busy week with the Bank of Canada's rate decision and key economic data releases in the United States.
June futures on the S&P/TSX index were flat at 6:39 a.m. ET (1039 GMT).
Oil prices slid on easing Middle East tensions after Israel withdrew more soldiers from southern Gaza and committed to fresh talks on a potential ceasefire in the conflict.
It offset the rise in gold prices that extended their record rally steered by speculative buying and persistent tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, copper prices in London hit their highest in over 14 months helped by demand from momentum-following funds and strong German industrial data.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) is set to announce its next decision on borrowing costs on Wednesday, where the central bank is widely expected to leave rates unchanged.
Investors will also monitor crucial economic data in the U.S., due later in the week, alongside the minutes of the Federal Reserve last monetary policy meeting for more cues on the timing of rate cuts in the year.
Markets will also parse through more comments from Fed officials later on Monday.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE), opens new tab ended up 1% on Friday at 22,165.15, notching a fresh record high.
U.S. stocks finished higher on Friday after a strong jobs report reinforced the view that the economy remains healthy, even as it suggested the Federal Reserve could delay cutting interest rates.
In corporate news, Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO), opens new tab on Friday said it appointed Katherine Gibson as interim Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, following the departure of Nadine Ahn, who was fired over an undisclosed relationship.
COMMODITIES AT 6:39 a.m. ET
Gold futures : $2,346.6; +0.6%
US crude : $86.16; -0.9%
Brent crude : $90.4; -0.8%
Reporting by Purvi Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Ravi Prakash Kumar
