March 17 (Reuters) - Canada's benchmark index rose on Tuesday with technology stocks and miners leading gains, while investors awaited key central bank decisions this week for clues on the monetary policy outlook in Canada and the U.S. as tensions in the Middle East raged on.
At 11:05 a.m. ET, the S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE), was up 0.8% at 33,126.84 points, a day after clocking its biggest one-day jump since February 26, before the conflict began.
The materials sector (.GSPTTMT), rose 1.4% and was among the top gainers, as prices of precious metal miners inched higher. Tech stocks (.SPTTTK), gained 2%.
Oil prices jumped as much as 4% before paring some gains, as attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East and continued shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global crude and LNG flows, revived supply concerns.
Energy stocks (.SPTTEN), climbed 1.1% and were set to gain for a fifth consecutive session - their longest streak since late January. The sub-index touched its highest level since September 2008 in the previous session.
The spike in oil prices has reignited worries about global inflation, prompting central banks to reassess their policy stance. Canada is seen as relatively insulated from the latest energy shock as it is a net oil exporter.
"We would not expect the Governing Council to signal a material risk for shifting to a tighter policy stance unless there were signs that inflation expectations were rising uncomfortably," said Michael Hanson, executive director and senior global economist at J.P. Morgan.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kicks off its two-day policy meeting later in the day and is widely expected to keep rates unchanged. Markets also anticipate the Bank of Canada to stand pat at its policy announcement on Wednesday.
However, investors will closely monitor policymakers' comments to gauge how central banks will proceed with interest rate cuts as potential energy-driven inflation clouds the outlook.
Hanson said labor market weakness and U.S. geopolitical and trade policy should leave room for some easing.
Reporting by Rashika Singh; Editing by Diti Pujara
