CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures dip ahead of BoC, Fed interest rate decisions

Dec 10 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index ticked lower on Wednesday as investors awaited highly anticipated interest rate decisions by the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve later in the day.

Futures on the S&P/TSX Composite Index were down 0.2% at 05:30 a.m. ET.

Canada's benchmark index advanced on Tuesday as gains in metal-mining shares offset caution prevailing over the Fed's monetary policy decision.

TSX fell 0.2% last week, but the commodity-heavy index is on track for its best year since 2009, underpinned by the strong prices of metals and oil, with the gold index doubling in value and the metal-mining index almost making a similar jump.

The Bank of Canada is expected to hold rates at a three-year low of 2.25% later in the day, while the Fed is expected to continue its easing cycle. Investors will closely monitor the U.S. central bank's monetary policy outlook for further signs of easing.

Gold prices were steady, while silver extended its historic rally above $60 an ounce.

In corporate updates, leisure carrier Air Transat and its pilot union announced they had reached a tentative deal that promised higher pay and better working conditions, averting a potential strike and allowing operations to return to normal.

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Canadian markets directory (Reporting by Avinash P in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)