CANADA STOCKS-TSX ends lower for third day as technology shares slide

By Fergal Smith

TORONTO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index ended lower on Thursday for a third straight day as technology shares lost ground, but the commodity-linked market's decline was limited after data showed stronger-than-expected growth in the U.S. economy.

Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE ended down 24.97 points, or 0.1%, at 29,731.98, extending its pullback from a record closing high on Monday.

U.S. gross domestic product increased at an upwardly revised 3.8% annualized rate in the second quarter amid strong consumer spending and business investment.

"We really have this dynamic that there are a lot of concerns but the risks have been pushed back just because of (consumer) spending ... and there's potential for that momentum to continue and for the Q3 numbers to show strength as well," said Ben Jang, a portfolio manager at Nicola Wealth.

The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model has estimated U.S. annualized growth of 3.3% in the current quarter.

Canadian GDP data for July, due on Friday, is expected to show the economy expanding by 0.1% compared to the previous month.

The technology sector fell 2.5%, with shares of Constellation Software <CSU.TO> down 6% as company president Mark Leonard resigned for health reasons.

"He's extremely well regarded in the community. His name carries a lot of weight," Jang said. "The firm has a very strong culture and a really structured process for capital allocation so they should be able to continue fine without him as president."

BlackBerry BB.TO was a bright spot. Its shares rose 9.1% as the company raised its annual revenue forecast.

The materials group .GSPTTMT, which includes metal mining shares, also advanced. It rose 1.1%, as the price of gold XAU= moved closer to its recent record high.

Lithium Americas LAC.TO added to its sharp gains the day before, ending up 23.1%.