While investors waited for national GDP data and the results of major American tech companies to get more clues about the health of their economies and markets, futures contracts linked to the main Canadian stock index started the week on a positive note thanks to the rise in gold prices.

September S&P/TSX index futures were up 0.3% at 6:20 a.m. ET (1020 GMT). Actions in the energy sector could have an impact on oil prices that have fluctuated between gains and losses due to fears of a worsening conflict in the Middle East following a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which Israel and the United States have blamed on the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. While Canada releases GDP figures for the month of May, the materials sector could rise as gold and silver prices strengthened due to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and expectations of a cut in US rates