(Reuters) - Futures tracking Canada's main stock index edged up on Friday, in the run-up to key U.S. payrolls and domestic employment numbers that could influence interest rate path in both economies.

March futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.16% at 6.25 a.m. ET (1125 GMT).

All eyes were on the U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, expected to show a moderation in job growth in December, with the unemployment rate steady at 4.2%, reinforcing the Federal Reserve's cautious approach toward interest rate cuts this year.

Back home, Canadian employment data is forecast to show an addition of 25,000 jobs in December, compared with 50,500 in November. The unemployment rate is expected to edge up to 6.9% from 6.8% in November.

In commodities, oil prices rose as traders focused on potential supply disruptions from sanctions on Russia and Iran, while icy conditions in parts of the U.S. and Europe are expected to drive up demand. [O/R]

Gold prices scaled a four-week peak, driven by safe-haven demand, amid uncertainties over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's policies, including his plan to impose import tariffs. [GOL/]

These measures, if implemented, could add inflationary pressures on Canada, which sends a majority of its exports south of the border.

Canada is also marred by political uncertainty as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday his plan to step down in the coming months.

Toronto's composite index closed higher on Thursday due to gains led by metal mining shares.

In corporate news, Canadian asset manager Brookfield was mulling a takeover bid for Insignia Financial, a media report said.

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($1 = 1.4404 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Nikhil Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)