* TSX ends up 0.2% at 33,237.52

* Highest closing level since March 10

* Energy rises 1.2% as oil settles higher

* Materials group gains 0.6%

(Updates at market close)

By Fergal Smith

April 7 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged up

on Tuesday to a four-week high, led by gains for energy and

metal mining shares, as investors awaited a U.S. deadline for

Iran to end its blockade of Gulf oil.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index ended up 55.55 points,

or 0.2%, at 33,237.52, marking its highest closing level since

March 10.

U.S. stocks ended mixed amid signs of progress in

negotiations as the minutes ticked down to President Donald

Trump's 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT) deadline for Iran to open the

Strait of Hormuz.

"It's very much in keeping with what we're seeing across all

regional markets right now," said Bipan Rai, head of ETF and

alternatives strategy at BMO Global Asset Management.

"It's waiting on what the outcome of later this evening will

be, whether or not we're going to see a meaningful escalation or

if we're going to see some version of the TACO trade," Rai said,

referring to the "Trump always chickens out" investment strategy

that has become popular among some investors.

The energy sector rose 1.2% as the price of U.S. West Texas

Intermediate oil settled 0.5% higher at $112.95 a barrel.

International Petroleum Corp ( IPCFF ) was one of the top

performers. The stock added 4.2% after BMO Capital Markets

upgraded it to "outperform" from "market perform."

Pembina Pipeline Corp ( PBA ) shares edged 0.4% higher

after the company said it expects to deliver 5% to 7% compound

annual fee-based adjusted core profit per share growth through

2030.

The materials group, which includes metal mining

shares, was up 0.6% as the price of gold climbed, while

heavily weighted financials added 0.4%.

"Financials - if you look at the broader backdrop, I still

think it's fairly supportive for loan growth on a go-forward

basis which should help banks," Rai said.

Five of the 10 major sectors ended lower. Those included

technology and consumer discretionary, which lost 1%

and 1.1% respectively.