* Miners, tech stock lead broader gains

* Energy sector on track for fifth session higher

* TSX up 0.8%

(Updates after markets open)

By Rashika Singh

March 17 (Reuters) - Canada's benchmark index rose on

Tuesday with technology stocks and miners leading gains, while

investors awaited key central bank decisions this week for clues

on the monetary policy outlook in Canada and the U.S. as

tensions in the Middle East raged on.

At 11:05 a.m. ET, the S&P/TSX composite index was

up0.8% at 33,126.84 points, a day after clocking its biggest

one-day jump since February 26, before the conflict began.

The materials sector rose 1.4% and was among the

top gainers, as prices of precious metal miners inched higher.

Tech stocks gained 2%.

Oil prices jumped as much as 4% before paring some gains, as

attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East and

continued shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a

key route for global crude and LNG flows, revived supply

concerns.

Energy stocks climbed 1.1% and were set to gain

for a fifth consecutive session - their longest streak since

late January. The sub-index touched its highest level since

September 2008 in the previous session.

The spike in oil prices has reignited worries about global

inflation, prompting central banks to reassess their policy

stance. Canada is seen as relatively insulated from the latest

energy shock as it is a net oil exporter.

"We would not expect the Governing Council to signal a

material risk for shifting to a tighter policy stance unless

there were signs that inflation expectations were rising

uncomfortably," said Michael Hanson, executive director and

senior global economist at J.P. Morgan.

The U.S. Federal Reserve kicks off its two-day policy

meeting later in the day and is widely expected to keep rates

unchanged. Markets also anticipate the Bank of Canada to stand

pat at its policy announcement on Wednesday.

However, investors will closely monitor policymakers'

comments to gauge how central banks will proceed with interest

rate cuts as potential energy-driven inflation clouds the

outlook.

Hanson said labor market weakness and U.S. geopolitical and

trade policy should leave room for some easing.