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TSX ends up 0.4% at 24,798.59

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Moves above 2024 year-end level

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Financials, energy and tech all add 0.4%

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Industrials lose 0.5% as railroad shares fall

(Updates at market close)

By Sanchayaita Roy and Fergal Smith

April 28 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged

higher as Canadians headed to the polls on Monday, with

investors betting that the market will benefit from receiving

greater clarity on the nation's economic policies after the

outcome of the vote is known.

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

ended up 88.08 points, or 0.4%, at 24,798.59, closing above its

2024 year-end level for the first time since April 2 amid recent

hopes of a cooling in the global trade war.

The ruling Liberal Party is expected to win the most seats

in a general election but the main opposition Conservative Party

has closed the gap in recent days, the latest polls show.

Regardless who wins, Canada stands to elect a more

business-friendly government than has been the case in recent

years after both main parties proposed sweeping changes to boost

economic growth.

The "Canadian economy wants certainty", said Shiraz Ahmed,

senior portfolio manager and founder of Sartorial Wealth,

Raymond James.

"With the lingering uncertainty, regardless of what

candidate wins, we will have that party's policies, which will

give some economic certainty from a domestic policy standpoint."

Financials, the most heavily weighted sector on the TSX,

technology and energy all gained 0.4%.

Energy was up even as the price of oil settled 1.5%

lower at $62.05 a barrel on lingering demand concerns.

The price of gold increased 1%, supportive of metal

mining shares. The materials group ended 0.3% higher.

Industrials declined 0.5% as railroad shares lost ground and

healthcare ended 1.4% lower.