Oct 25 Reuters Canada39;s main stock index rose slightly on Friday, led by energy and technology shares, though gains were limited by telecom shares, while investors parsed domestic economic data.

The Toronto Stock Exchange39;s SPTSX composite index was up 16.55 points, or 0.07, at 24,568.1, but was set to register a weekly loss.

Among sectors, heavyweight energy rose 0.8 as oil prices gained, with simmering Middle East tensions and planned resumption of Gaza ceasefire talks keeping the market on the edge.

Canada39;s information technology added 0.7, benefitting from a 3 rise in Celestica as it continued its momentum from the previous session.

In contrast, capped communications and real estate declined 0.6 and 0.3, respectively.

Investors also assessed data that showed Canada39;s retail sales in August increased marginally and missed expectations as consumer spending showed strains across sectors.

Meanwhile, the Canadian central bank39;s Governor Tiff Macklem39;s address to journalists is still due later in the day.

Despite the Bank of Canada offering a highly anticipated 50 basis points interest rate cut on Wednesday, markets this week broadly reacted negatively to a recent rise in benchmark yields.

I think the market in general has been looking for a catalyst of some sort to move higher, said Allan Small, senior investment advisor at Allan Small Financial Group with iA Private Wealth.

Small added next week39;s earnings from U.S. megacaps could be the…