TORONTO, May 25 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose
to a seven-month high on Wednesday, helped by strength in shares
of Bank of Montreal BMO.TO after the lender reported quarterly
results and gains in the energy sector following a jump in the
oil price.
The price of oil climbed on hopes that a recent fall in
supply will help balance the supply-demand disconnect for the
commodity.
The energy sector jumped 1.7 percent. Suncor Energy Inc
SU.TO gained 1.1 percent to C$35.79, and Canadian Natural
Resources Ltd CNQ.TO advanced 2.5 percent to C$39.07.
BMO kicked off the Canadian bank earnings season by
reporting a slightly lower-than-expected quarterly profit and
setting aside more funds to cover losses on bad loans. But it
raised its dividend. The stock rose 0.8 percent to C$83.88.
Shares of other banks advanced as well. Royal Bank of Canada
RY.TO added 0.9 percent to C$79.25, and Bank of Nova Scotia
BNS.TO rose 1.2 percent to C$64.53.
Investors also digested a move by the Bank of Canada to hold
interest rates steady. The central bank said the economy would
shrink in the second quarter as a result of damage from the
massive Alberta wildfires before rebounding later in the year.
The gold-mining sector extended a decline after a sharp fall
in the previous session. Barrick Gold Corp ABX.TO dropped 3
percent to C$21.58.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index
.GSPTSE was up 83.69 points, or 0.6 percent, at 14,036.54. It
reached its highest level since October 9.