Feb 19 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index fell on Thursday, as investors assessed minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve, even as gold and oil prices extended gains.
March futures on S&P/TSX composite index slipped 0.37%, as of 5:30 a.m. ET.
Toronto's benchmark index gained 1.5% on Wednesday as technology shares rebounded after worries eased on AI disruption, while miners also gained on strength in precious metals.
The Federal Reserve policymakers were split in their January meeting over the next steps, with "several" open to rate hikes if inflation remains elevated and others inclined to support further cuts if inflation recedes as expected.
The weekly jobless claims data, due later in the day, and Friday's Personal Consumption Expenditures report, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, will provide further clues on the central bank's policy trajectory.
U.S. stock futures slipped with focus turning back to AI-related concerns with Apple, Nvidia and Meta Platforms trading lower in premarket trading.
On Thursday, spot gold gained 0.1% and silver rose 1.4% amid lingering tensions between the U.S. and major crude producer Iran.
The White House said on Wednesday some progress was made during talks with Iran in Geneva earlier this week, but distance remained on some issues. Meanwhile, satellite images have shown Iran repairing and fortifying military sites.
Oil prices gained, with Brent futures and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rising more than 1% each.
In after-market earnings on Wednesday, fertilizer producer Nutrien missed quarterly profit estimates on lower crop nutrient volumes.
Among miners, Kinross Gold and Teck Resources beat quarterly profit estimates.
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(Reporting by Utkarsh Tushar Hathi; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
