CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures edge up ahead of US inflation data

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index edged up on Thursday, supported by strength in precious metals, while investors await U.S. producer price data which could cement or dilute rate-cut prospects by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

March futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFcv1 were up 0.1% at 6.47 a.m. ET (11.47 GMT).

Gold XAU= prices gain as persisting trade war concerns kept the yellow metal in demand after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his plans to impose reciprocal tariffs. Silver prices also rose in the day. GOL/

Meanwhile, oil prices LCOc1, CLc1 extended their recent fall as the hopes for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal bolstered the possibility of an easing of Russian oil sanctions that have disrupted supply flows. O/R

On Wednesday, Trump made the first big diplomatic move to end the war in Ukraine, a conflict that has kept oil prices high due to concerns about global supplies.

Investors are also focused on the upcoming U.S. producer price index report for January, expected at 8:30 a.m. ET.

A consumer price index reading on Wednesday showed the highest price increase in nearly a year and a half for January, reducing the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut this year amid concerns over the Trump administration's trade policies.

The hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data dragged down the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index on Wednesday, with a drop in oil prices impacting energy shares.

In corporate news, Sun Life Financial SLF.TO reported a fall in its fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, as weakness in U.S. business took away gains made in Asian markets.

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