CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures inch lower ahead of holiday-shortened session

Dec 24 (Reuters) - Futures linked to Canada's main stock index edged lower on Wednesday ahead of a holiday-shortened session that is expected to have low trading volumes, following the index's climb to a record high in the previous session.

The March futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFcv1 were down 0.2% as of 06:53 a.m. ET.

The S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE on Tuesday eclipsed Monday's record closing high as investor sentiment was buoyed by gains in oil and mining shares despite data showing the Canadian economy shrinking more than expected.

Toronto markets will close early at 01:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday for Christmas Eve and trading volumes are likely to be light throughout the day.

With just one week remaining in the year, the Canadian benchmark is poised for its best performance since 2009, with a nearly 30% gain.

Financial shares, which constitute one-third of the index, have outperformed their peers, while geopolitical factors have pushed commodity demand and prices upward, helping the resource-heavy index outperform Wall Street counterparts.

Looking ahead, market observers anticipate the next Federal Reserve chair will adopt a dovish stance, keeping U.S. monetary policy at the forefront of investment considerations, while analysts project a positive outlook for metal prices in the medium to long term.

On Wednesday, oil LCOc1, CLc1 prices rose for a sixth day on U.S. economic growth and the risk of supply disruptions. O/R

Gold XAG= surged past $4,500 an ounce for the first time while copper CMCU3 extended gains to hit all-time highs. GOL/MET/L

In corporate updates, First Quantum Minerals FM.TO announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Cobre Las Cruces has entered into a binding agreement to sell the Las Cruces mine in Spain for up to $190 million to Global Panduro.

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