CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures muted ahead of US inflation data

Feb 12 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index were flat on Wednesday as investors avoided big bets ahead of key U.S. inflation data that could support Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's fresh hawkish comments.

March futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFcv1 were down 0.06% at 6.21 a.m. ET (1121 GMT).

All eyes will be on U.S. consumer price index (CPI) data for January, which is due before the bell.

On Tuesday, during his semi-annual testimony to Congress, Powell emphasized that the U.S. central bank is not in a hurry to reduce short-term interest rates, while avoiding comments on President Donald Trump's tariff policies.

Analysts believe the sweeping tariffs under the new administration could add inflationary pressures and impede the Fed's path to lower interest rates.

On Wednesday, Trump's trade advisers were finalizing plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on U.S. imports.

Trump's decision to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports starting March 12 surprised markets on Tuesday and faced criticism from Mexico, Canada and the EU.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE edged lower on Tuesday as lower metal prices weighed on the materials sector and the new tariffs risked escalating a global trade war.

In commodities, gold prices XAU= eased from record highs on Wednesday, weighed by Powell's hawkish comments. GOL/

Oil prices LCOc1, CLc1 fell 1%, ending three days of gains, as industry sources pointed to rising U.S. crude stockpiles. O/R

In company news, Barrick Gold on Wednesday beat analysts' estimates for fourth-quarter profit on higher gold prices and production.

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