(Updates with morning prices)

By Sanchayaita Roy

May 1 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged higher

in choppy trading on Thursday, as investors cheered strong

quarterly results of technology giant Microsoft ( MSFT ) and

Meta amid an uncertain economic environment.

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

mirrored gains in Wall Street peers, inching 0.13% higher to

24,874.59 points.

Positive quarterly results from the "Magnificent Seven"

heavyweights helped calm the market, offering investors hope

that their billion-dollar bets on the technology sector would

help them ride out the fallout from sweeping U.S. tariffs.

"It's going to be all about tech and earnings," said Angelo

Kourkafas, investment strategist at Edward Jones Investments.

"There is some renewed excitement around artificial

intelligence, which may boost performance in the tech sector in

the TSX overnight."

Meanwhile, a social media account affiliated with Chinese

state media said on Thursday that the U.S. has approached China

seeking talks over President Donald Trump's 145% tariffs,

potentially signaling Beijing's openness to negotiations.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said he was

hopeful for progress with China on trade, citing "loose

discussions" between both governments.

On TSX, information and technology sector was up

1.4%, mirroring gains in U.S. peers. Celestica ( CLS ) topped

the index with a 6.8% rise.

Conversely, mining stocks fell 2.5%, as gold

dipped to a two-week low, pressured by signals of softening

trade tensions and a holiday in top consumer China.

On the data front, Canadian manufacturing activity

contracted in April at the steepest rate since shortly after the

start of the COVID-19 pandemic as the uncertain nature of U.S.

trade policy weighed on production and new orders.

In corporate news, Thomson Reuters ( TMSOF ) shares gained

1.4%, after it reaffirmed the 2025 financial forecast amid

tariff-induced global economic turmoil.