CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures inch lower as Middle East conflict weighs on sentiment

April 24 (Reuters) - Futures linked to Canada's main stock index inched lower in low volumes on Friday as investors were cautious about developments in the Middle East that kept oil prices higher, setting the index for weekly losses.

June futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFcv1 were down 0.2% at 5:00 a.m. ET (0900 GMT).

• Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire for three weeks, while U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to wait for "the best deal" to end his war with Iran.

• The initial ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, along with signs that the U.S. and Iran could meet for talks after the first round collapsed, led markets to hope for a swift resolution to the conflict.

• The TSX was on track for declines this week, its first in four, with oil prices over $100 a barrel as little progress on the conflict front dampened investor appetite.

• Gold and copper prices on Friday also inched lower and were likely to pressure mining stocks contained in the TSX's materials sector .GSPTTMT.

• A February reading of retail sales and corporate earnings will be parsed later in the day.

• Earlier this week, data showed Canada's annual inflation rate rose to 2.4% in March driven by crude prices, but remained below the 2.6% forecast by analysts.

• Money market participants are pricing in an interest rate hike by the end of 2026, per LSEG data.

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