TORONTO (Reuters) - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index finished little changed yesterday, lifted slightly by gains in financials after the core inflation rate slowed in March, while investors took profits following a steep advance in the previous session.

The financial sector added 0.8 percent, after data showed Canada's inflation rate slowed to its lowest since July 2005, allowing the Bank of Canada room to further cut interest rates.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce rose 75 Canadian cents, or 1.1 percent, to C$68.56, while Toronto-Dominion Bank pushed up 58 Canadian cents, or 0.9 percent, to C$63.82.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 16.02 points, or 0.11 percent, at 14,115.5 with half its 10 main sectors higher.

But gains were hampered by losses in the materials sector, including Potash Corp of Saskatchewan, which fell C$1.62, or 0.8 percent, to C$196.88 after its recent spectacular run-up.

The fertiliser company vaulted more than five percent on Wednesday amid a surge in the price of potash exports to China, and helped the index as a whole soar nearly 250 points.

Overall, the materials sector declined one percent yesterday, as its sub-index of gold producers gave up 1.3 percent amid softer bullion prices.

Inmet Mining was down C$2.11, or 2.1 percent, at C$96.50, and Goldcorp slid 63 Canadian cents, or 1.5 percent, to C$42.79.

On the upside, the energy sector rose 0.3 percent after oil hit a new peak over $115 a barrel, before settling down seven cents at $114.86. Suncor Energy was up C$1.92, or 1.7 percent, at C$116.30 and Canadian Natural Resources gained 86 Canadian cents, or one percent, to C$85.01.

Shares of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals added 37 Canadian cents, or 13.3 percent, to C$3.16 after it said the US Food and Drug Administration approved the marketing of its drug-eluting catheter in the US. The small health sector gained 2.5 percent.