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TSX ends up 0.4% at 21,969.24

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For the week, the index rises 0.7%

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Materials shares lead gains

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First Quantum Minerals ( FQVLF ) shares jump 12.5%

(Updates at market close)

By Fergal Smith

April 26 (Reuters) - Canada's resource-heavy main stock

index rose on Friday, adding to its weekly gain, as evidence of

stubborn inflation in the United States increased the appeal of

owning commodity-linked shares.

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

ended up 83.86 points, or 0.4%, at 21,969.24. For the

week, the index was up 0.7%.

"The market is clearly looking for inflation hedges and I

think you've seen that with the move we've seen in commodities

of late," said Mike Archibald, a portfolio manager at AGF

Investments. "The decline in inflation looks like it has stalled

a little bit in the U.S."

U.S. monthly inflation rose moderately in March, but

stubbornly higher costs for housing and utilities suggested the

Federal Reserve could keep interest rates elevated for a while.

The materials group, which includes metal miners

and fertilizer companies, rose 1.7% as gold and copper

prices climbed, with copper moving to a two-year high.

Gains for the sector were led by First Quantum Minerals Ltd ( FQVLF )

. Its shares jumped 12.5%.

Energy also gained ground, rising 0.3%, as the

price of oil settled 0.3% higher at $83.85 a barrel on

supply concerns amid continued tensions in the Middle East.

Combined, the materials and energy sectors account for

roughly one-third of the Toronto market's weighting. Financials

, the TSX's most heavily-weighted sector, ended 0.4%

higher.

TFI International Inc ( TFII ) was among the stocks that

lost ground. It ended 2.3% lower after the transportation and

logistics company's first-quarter results missed estimates.