TORONTO - The futures market suggested a positive opening for U.S. stocks as investors hope for clues about the timing of a U.S. interest rate hike.

U.S. Federal Reserve policy-makers started a two-day meeting Tuesday.

Many expect the Fed to raise interest rates for the first time since the global financial crisis in either September or December.

Meanwhile, the loonie fell 0.17 of a cent at 77.19 cents US.

The September contract for crude oil fell 38 cents to US$47.60, while the September natural gas contract gained four cents at US$2.856.

The September gold contract was down 60 cents at US$1,095.70.