*

TSX ends down 0.1% at 26,175.05

*

For the month, the index gains 5.4%

*

First-quarter GDP increases 2.2%

*

Energy sector falls 1.8%

(Updates at market close)

By Fergal Smith

May 30 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged lower

on Friday as energy and metal mining shares lost ground, but the

index still posted its biggest monthly advance since November,

helped by easing global trade tensions.

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

ended down 35.51 points, or 0.1%, at 26,175.05, its

second straight day of declines after posting a record closing

high on Wednesday. For May, the index was up 5.4%.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see some consolidation after a

big run, but intermediate-term the path of least resistance is

up," said Joseph Abramson, co-chief investment officer at

Northland Wealth Management. "I think that political risk has

peaked in terms of tariffs."

The U.S. has suspended in recent weeks some of the sweeping

tariffs it has imposed on goods from other countries, while

Canada's economy has fared better during the first few months of

the global trade war than some economists had expected.

Canadian gross domestic product increased at an annualized

rate of 2.2% in the first quarter, beating estimates for a gain

of 1.7%.

The energy sector fell 1.8% on Friday as the price of oil

settled 0.25% lower at $60.79 a barrel and after oil sands

company MEG Energy ( MEGEF ) said it evacuated all nonessential

workers from its Christina Lake production facility in northern

Alberta due to wildfires burning in the area. The company's

shares ended 2.8% lower.

The materials group, which includes metal mining shares,

also lost ground as the price of gold dipped.

Heavily weighted financials added 0.2%, and were up 1.3% for

the week in which Canada's biggest banks reported quarterly

earnings.