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TSX ends up 0.7% at 24,423.34

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Technology sector adds 1.3%

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Energy gains 1.7% as oil settles 2.2% higher

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BoC cuts key rate by 25 basis points

(Updates at market close)

By Fergal Smith

March 12 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rebounded

on Wednesday, including gains for energy and technology shares,

as U.S. inflation cooled and the Bank of Canada cut interest

rates to help the domestic economy cope with an escalating trade

war.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index

ended up 175.14 points, or 0.7%, at 24,423.34, after

posting on Tuesday its lowest closing level in four months.

The Bank of Canada lowered its key interest rate by 25 basis

points to 2.75% and raised concerns about inflationary pressures

and weaker growth stemming from trade uncertainty and U.S.

President Donald Trump's tariffs.

"The trade conflict is certainly weighing on sentiment and

economic activity and so they're trying to get in front of this,

to make some adjustments to make our economy a little bit more

nimble and powerful in the face of these tariffs that are facing

us," said Robert G. Gill, a portfolio manager at Fairbank

Investment Management Limited.

Trump's increased tariffs on all U.S. steel and aluminum

imports took effect on Wednesday, ratcheting up a global trade

war and drawing swift retaliation from Canada and Europe.

U.S. benchmark the S&P 500 also ended higher as U.S.

consumer prices increased less than expected in February,

helping stanch a sharp selloff among growth stocks.

The Toronto market's technology sector rose 1.3%, led by

gains for e-commerce firm Shopify ( SHOP ) and electronic

equipment company Celestica ( CLS ).

The heavily weighted energy sector added 1.7% as oil prices

rallied. U.S. crude oil futures settled 2.2% higher at

$67.68 a barrel.

Consumer discretionary was the only one of ten major sectors

to end lower. It fell 1%, with construction supplies company

Mattr Corp ( MTTRF ) down 5.5%.