TSX futures flat amid US tariffs uncertainty

The futures linked to Canada's major stock index were tepid on Friday as investors awaited further details about U.S. tariffs.

At 6.44 a.m., March futures for the S&P/TSX Index were down 0.03%. ET (1144 GMT).

U.S. president Donald Trump has directed his economic team in order to develop plans for reciprocal duties on countries that tax U.S. imported goods, increasing the risk of a trade war between American allies and enemies.

This directive was issued on Thursday and begins a potentially long investigation into the tariffs imposed by other countries on U.S. products. It does not impose immediate new tariffs.

Trump started a trade conflict earlier this month by first imposing tariffs against Mexico and Canada, then pausing the duties, but continuing to impose them on Chinese goods.

Gold prices are rising on the commodities market. They will likely reach a weekly gain of seven consecutive weeks due to the demand for safe havens amid the growing concern over the global trade conflict.

The oil prices increased as well, ending a three-week streak of weekly declines. This was due to the rising fuel demand.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index of the Toronto Stock Exchange rose on Thursday, as investors remained calm despite tariff threats and signs that inflation in the United States was rising.

The U.S. Retail Sales figures are released on Friday at 8:30 am ET. These numbers are crucial in determining consumer demand. ET.

Investors will be watching closely next week for the Bank of Canada to announce its interest rate policy based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

In the corporate news, TC Energy's fourth-quarter profits beat expectations on Friday.

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Canadian markets directory (Reporting by Ragini Mathur in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)

(source: Reuters)