(Updates prices and details throughout)
* TSX up 0.7%
* Miners lead gains
* US-Iran memorandum could be signed as soon as Sunday
By Tharuniyaa Lakshmi
June 12 (Reuters) - Canada's benchmark stock index rose on
Friday as global risk sentiment improved on hopes of an imminent
Middle East deal, with a source telling Reuters that a U.S.-Iran
memorandum could be signed as early as Sunday.
At 10:21 a.m. ET, the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX
composite index was down 0.7% at 34,926.25 points.
* The source said the language in the memorandum was still
being finalized, and Iran was sticking to its position that the
deal must also end fighting in Lebanon, where Israel has been
battling against Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
* "I'd say right now there is optimism this will be a
lasting peace," said Shiraz Ahmed, founder at Sartorial Wealth.
He added that investors, however, were skeptical since they've
heard the same story for two-three months.
* "There will likely be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction if we
do have a lasting peace."
* The materials group, which includes stocks of
metal miners, was up 2.1%, leading gains on the TSX, with
Montage Gold ( MAUTF ), Taseko Mines ( TGB ) and Ivanhoe Mines ( IVPAF )
up between 5.1% and 9.7%.
* Seven of the 10 TSX sectors were in the green with the
financials sub-index also supporting gains, up 0.7%.
* Meanwhile, the technology sub-index fell 1.2%,
capping the upside, with MDA Space ( MDA ) leading losses, down
6.5% ahead of Elon Musk's SpaceX's Nasdaq debut, expected to be
the largest public listing in history.
* The Canadian benchmark stock index was on track for
marginal weekly gains, supported by advances on optimism over
de-escalation in the Middle East.