(Reuters) – Futures for Canada’s stock index fell on Wednesday ahead of a slew economic data due late in the day. These data could provide clues about the central bank’s plans for rate increases, but stronger crude oil prices have limited losses.

March futures on the S&P/TSX index were down 0.2% at 6:54 a.m. ET.

At 08:30, domestic inflation data, data on wholesale sales and data about manufacturing sales are due. ET

The Bank of Canada’s domestic inflation data is being analyzed by investors to determine the rate of increase in interest rates. Markets are tense due to rising oil prices and worries about inflation, along with increasing geopolitical tensions.

The Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index ended 0.7% higher at 21,502.55 on Tuesday, helped by a rally in global equity markets on easing geopolitical tensions. ()

At 6:54 AM, they were down 32 points or 0.09%. ET was down by 3.25 points or 0.07%, and down 2.25 points or 0.02%. [.N]

TOP STORIES [TOP/CAN]

Miner Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:) reported Wednesday a 6% increase in fourth quarter profit. They also announced a share repurchase program of up to $1 Billion.

HIGHLIGHTS ON ANALYST REsearch [RCH/CA]

Cargojet Inc. National Bank of Canada (OTC) increases target price from C$201 to C$203

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Jefferies raises the target price for First Quantum Minerals to C$50, from C$45

Neighbourly pharmacy Inc: RBC lifts the target price to C$39, from C$36

COMMODITIES AT 7:00 a.m. ET

: $1856.4; +0.07% [GOL/]

US crude oil: $93.41; +1.43% [O/R]

: $94.67; +1.6% [O/R]

U.S. ECONOMIC DATA DUE WEDNESDAY

0830 Jan Import Prices mm: 1.3% Expected; Prior -0.2%

0830 Export prices for Jan: Predicted 1.3%, Prior -1.8%

0830 Jan Import Prices yy: Prior to 10.4%

0830 Retail Sales mm Jan: Predicted 2.0%

0830 Retail sales ex-autos mm for Jan: Expected 0.8%; Prior -2.3%

0830 Retail ex gas/autos for Jan: Prior -2.5%

0830 Retail Control for January: 1.0% expected; prior -3.1%

0830 Retail sales YoY January: Prior 16.95%

0915 Jan Industrial Production mm: Predicted 0.4%, Prior -0.1%

0915 Capacity utilization SA January: Expected at 76.8%. Prior to that, 76.5%

0915 Jan Manufacturing output mm: Predicted 0.3%, Prior -0.3%

0915 Industrial Production YoY for January: Prior to 3.67%

1000 Business inventories mm Dec: Prevailed 1.3%; Expected 2.1%

1000 Retail inventories ex-auto rev for Dec: Prior 3.6%

1000 NAHB Housing Market Index February: Expected at 83, Prior at 83

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($1= C$1.27)