CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures edge lower as gold retreats; bank earnings in focus

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Futures linked to Canada's main stock index edged lower on Tuesday as gold prices retreated, while investors looked ahead to quarterly results from major banks.

March futures on the S&P/TSX composite index SXFcv1 slipped 0.17%, as of 5:18 a.m. ET.

Toronto's benchmark index .GSPTSE closed lower on Monday, as tariff uncertainty weighed on market sentiment, with tech and financial stocks leading the declines.

Spot gold XAU= fell 1.1%, retreating from a three-week high hit earlier in the session as U.S. dollar strengthened while investors awaited clarity on President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Silver XAG= gained 0.3%, while copper prices also climbed.

Canada's largest banks are expected to report another quarter of strong earnings, with Bank of Nova Scotia BNS.TO to kick off the first-quarter earnings this morning before the bell.

Meanwhile, oil prices gained, nearing seven-month highs as traders assessed supply concerns with another round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for Thursday.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 0.03%, while the U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was up 0.2%.

In corporate news, energy firm Whitecap Resources WCP.TO reported quarterly results after the bell on Monday, beating analysts' estimates.

FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES:

TSX market report .TO

Reuters global stocks poll for Canada EQUITYPOLL1, EPOLL/CA

Canadian markets directory CANADA