*

TSX ends up 0.1% at 22,244.022

*

Posts highest closing level since May 31

*

Nine of 10 major sectors notch gains

*

goeasy announces CEO transition; shares fall

(Updates at market close)

By Nikhil Sharma and Fergal Smith

July 4 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged up to

a near five-week high on Thursday, as resource shares advanced

ahead of U.S. and Canadian employment data that could guide

expectations for central banks interest rate cuts.

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

ended up 20.35 points, or 0.1%, at 22,244.022, its

highest closing level since May 31. Volumes were lighter than

usual, with U.S. markets closed for Independence Day.

Canada and the U.S. are due on Friday to release employment

data for June. Recent signs of a slowdown in the U.S. economy

have led to increased bets the Federal Reserve would begin

cutting rates as soon as September.

The Bank of Canada has already begun its easing cycle,

lowering its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.75% last

month. Investors see a roughly 40% chance the BoC would cut

again in July.

"The hopes of interest rate decreases have been very

positive for the resource sector," said Graham Priest,

investment advisor at BlueShore Financial.

The materials group, which includes precious and base metals

miners and fertilizer companies, was up 0.2%, adding to its 3.4%

gain on Wednesday, which was its biggest advance this year.

Energy also gained ground, rising 0.3%, as the price of oil

increased 0.2% to $84.06 a barrel, approaching its

highest level in more than two months.

Suncor Energy Inc ( SU ) was not among the advancing

stocks, ending nearly unchanged. The company has shut down its

Firebag oil sands site as a precaution due to a wildfire about

eight kilometres away, an Alberta government minister said.

Of the ten major sectors, only financials were down, dipping

0.1%.

Shares of consumer lending company goeasy Ltd slid

9.9% after the company announced its chief executive officer

Jason Mullins will transition out of his role at year-end.