march 21 reuters  canadas main stock index was set to extend gains on tuesday tracking higher crudeoil prices ahead of inflation data the consumer price index is expected to have eased to 54 from a year earlier in february from a 59 rise in the previous month according to a reuters poll the data is due at 830 am et the consumer price index is expected to have eased to 54 in february from a 59 rise in the previous month according to a reuters poll the data is due at 830 am et moneymarket participants are expecting the bank of canada to continue to hold the benchmark rate at 45 at its next ratesetting meet in april the us federal reserve is largely expected to hike rates by 25 basis points on wednesday following the end of its twoday meeting while some top central bank watchers say it could even pause further rate hikes given the current banking crisis march futures on the sptsx index were up 05 at 647 am et contracts tied to oil prices were in gains after the credit suisse rescue over the weekend eased global crude demand worries among investors in company news canadas ritchie bros auctioneers inc rbato said it had completed the acquisition of us auto retailer iaa inc iaan weeks after two proxy advisory firms urged shareholders to reject the 7 billion deal usbased buyout fund kkr  co inc kkrn has agreed to sell a 50 stake in spanish renewable energy company xelio energy to asset manager brookfield bamto the two funds said in the previous session the toronto stock exchanges sptsx composite index gsptse ended 06 higher aided by gains in energy and financial stocks dow eminis were up 268 points or 083 at 647 am et while sp 500 eminis were up 2675 points or 067 and nasdaq 100 eminis were up 43 points or 034 commodities at 647 am et feb existing home sales due at 1000 am et reporting by johann m cherian in bengaluru editing by pooja desai