* TSX ends up 0.7% at 34,758.57
* Technology adds 4.7%
* Canada's economy contracts in the first quarter
(Adds details after market close)
By Niket Nishant and Fergal Smith
May 29 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged
higher on Friday, adding to its monthly gain, as the prospect of
an extended ceasefire in the Middle East buoyed investor
sentiment, with technology and gold mining shares among the
biggest gainers.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX Composite Index
ended up 240.87 points, or 0.7%, at 34,758.57. For the month,
the index was up 2.4%, marking its second straight month of
gains.
* Major Wall Street indexes extended their record run as
Dell results drove tech shares higher, while investors awaited
details on a potential U.S.-Iran deal.
* U.S. President Donald Trump said he would make a final
decision on Friday over a deal with Iran to extend their
ceasefire that would need to include opening the Strait of
Hormuz and dismantling Tehran's capacity to make a nuclear
weapon.
* Canada's economy posted a surprise contraction in the
first quarter, making it two straight quarters of annualized
decline as the country struggles with U.S. tariff uncertainty
and reducing expectations for Bank of Canada interest rate hikes
this year.
* "Overall, this was a very weak report from most angles
that shows that trade uncertainty and tariffs are continuing to
hold back growth, while consumers have little ammunition left
for spending ahead," said Katherine Judge, senior economist at
CIBC Capital Markets.
* The Trump administration wants to increase the level of
regional content in North American-built vehicles to 82% to
qualify for preferential treatment under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada
Agreement on trade, with 50% of that value produced in the
United States, four people familiar with the U.S. negotiating
position said.
* Technology gained 4.7%, with shares of
electronic equipment firm Celestica Inc ( CLS ) ending 10.2%
higher.
* The materials group, which includes metal
mining shares, was up 2.6% as gold prices climbed.
* Energy was a drag, falling 1.2%. The price of
oil settled 1.3% lower at $87.72 a barrel.