CANADA STOCKS-TSX ends lower as Middle East war strains global economy

By Fergal Smith

April 23 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged lower on Thursday, led by declines for technology and metal mining shares, as investors weighed evidence that the war in the Middle East is hurting the global economy.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX Composite Index .GSPTSE ended down 42.18 points, or 0.1%, at 33,912.93.

There are signs that the war is beginning to weigh on the global economy and specific industries, Colin Cieszynski, chief market strategist at SIA Wealth Management, said in a note.

"Higher energy prices are now filtering into corporate outlooks and forward expectations," Cieszynski said.

The global economy is facing ever more tangible strains from the energy shock triggered by the Iran war as factories grapple with soaring production costs and activity weakens even in services sectors, major surveys showed.

Canadian producer prices rose 2.4% in March from February on higher prices for energy and petroleum products, as well as chemical products, linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The price of oil CLc1 settled 3.1% higher at $95.89 a barrel after reports that air defenses were engaging targets over Tehran and of a power struggle between Iranian hardliners and moderates.

Technology .SPTTTK fell 4.5%, with shares of Shopify SHOP.TO and Constellation Software CSU.TO both down 5.7%, as U.S. corporate results revived concerns that the software sector's traditional business models could be upended by new AI tools.

The materials group .GSPTTMT, which includes metal mining shares, ended 1.5% lower as gold XAU= and copper HGc1 prices fell.

Teck Resources TECKb.TO beat analysts' estimates for first-quarter profit, aided by an increase in copper prices and record sales, while the company's proposed merger with Anglo American AAL.L remained on track. The miner's shares rose 2.8%.

Industrials .GSPTTIN also added 2.8% as railroad stocks notched gains and after solid waste operator Waste Connections WCN.TO beat first-quarter revenue estimates, sending its shares 8.3% higher.

Energy .SPTTEN was up 1.8%.