The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that 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. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says the S&P/TSX Composite Index ended up 240.87 points at 34,758.57, with technology and gold mining shares among the biggest gainers. For the month, the index was up 2.4 per cent, marking its second straight month of gains. 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, CIBC senior economist. Technology gained 4.7 per cent, with shares of Celestica ending 10.2 per cent higher. The materials group was up 2.6 per cent as gold prices climbed. Energy fell 1.2 per cent. The price of oil settled 1.3 per cent lower at $87.72 (U.S.) a barrel.