CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures gain as precious metal prices stabilize

Dec 30 (Reuters) - Futures tracking Canada's main stock index edged higher on Tuesday as precious metal prices regained their footing, setting the stage for the penultimate trading session of what has been a remarkable year for the commodities-heavy market.

March futures on the S&P/TSX Composite index SXFcv1 were up 0.2% as of 06:37 a.m. ET, after a pause in the precious metals rally prompted investors to consolidate gains and sent the main index down for the second straight session on Monday.

Still, the TSX .GSPTSE is on track to end the year nearly 29% higher, its best showing since 2009, lifted by heavyweight banking and precious metal miners' stocks.

Supporting the futures early on Tuesday, gold XAU= and silver XAG= prices rebounded from the previous session's hammering, as buyers returned following a brief spell of profit-taking. Gold was up 1.5%, while silver gained 4.5%. GOL/

Oil LCOc1, CLc1 prices were steady as investors took stock of the uncertainty over a Russia-Ukraine peace deal and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. O/R

Wall Street futures, meanwhile, were flat as investors adopted a cautious stance.

This period, dubbed the "Santa Claus rally," has historically been beneficial for equities, with indices usually gaining in the last five trading days of the year and the first two in January, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac.

On the macro front, investors will keep an eye on the release of the U.S. Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes, which are due later in the day in an otherwise data-light week.

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