March 8 (Reuters) - Canada's main index opened higher on

Friday, led by gains in materials stocks, while data showing

moderation in wage growth at home and in the United States

lifted expectations of interest rate cuts by the central banks

this year.

At 9:31 a.m. ET (14:31 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's

S&P/TSX composite index was up 47.07 points, or 0.22%,

at 21,841.63.