• TSX ends up 0.9 points at 24,256.06
• BCE tumbles 9.7% after acquisition deal
• Energy rises 1.3%; oil settles 2.85% higher
• Real estate adds 0.9%

Nov 4 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index was barely changed on Monday as gains for energy offset a sharp drop in BCE's shares, with investors reluctant to make big bets ahead of the U.S. presidential election and a Federal Reserve interest rate decision.

The S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) , opens new tab ended up 0.9 points at 24,256.06, holding on to the modest gain it made on Friday. On Thursday it posted its lowest close in more than three weeks.

"There isn't much appetite for risk ahead of an extremely pivotal week," said Elvis Picardo, portfolio manager at Luft Financial, iA Private Wealth.

U.S. presidential election candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris scrambled for an edge in the last full day of a race that polls show as extremely close.

Investors expect the U.S. central bank to lower its benchmark rate by 25 basis points on Thursday.

Shares of BCE Inc (BCE.TO) , opens new tab tumbled 9.7% after the communications company agreed to buy internet services provider Ziply Fiber for $3.60 billion in cash.

"The news of the acquisition wasn't well received," Picardo said. "They've pressed the pause button on dividend growth until their debt levels normalize."

Energy rose 1.3% as the price of oil settled 2.85% higher at $71.47 a barrel after OPEC+ delayed a planned output increase.

The Canadian government released long-awaited draft regulations that would cap emissions of greenhouse gases from the oil and gas sector at 35% below 2019 levels by 2030, drawing condemnation from the industry that said it will force a cut in production.

Real estate also notched gains, rising 0.9%, as bond yields fell.

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https://www.reuters.com/markets/tsx-futures-rise-oil-supports-us-election-spotlight-2024-11-04/