TSX rises after two days of losses on trade-related optimism

May 24 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose on Friday after two days of sharp declines as sentiment was lifted by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump predicting a swift end to the trade dispute with China.

* At 9:37 a.m. ET (13:37 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 74.17 points, or 0.46%, at 16,238.78.

* The index is still on track to end the week lower.

* Nine of the index's 11 major sectors gained, with healthcare .GSPTTHC sector's 1% rise.

* The energy sector .SPTTEN climbed 0.1% as U.S. crude CLc1 prices rose 1.5% a barrel, while Brent crude LCOc1 added 1.3%. O/R

* The financials sector .SPTTFS gained 0.5%. The industrials sector .GSPTTIN rose 0.6%.

* The materials sector .GSPTTMT, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 0.4%. GOL/MET/L

* On the TSX, 186 issues were higher, while 41 issues declined for a 4.54-to-1 ratio favoring gainers, with 12.06 million shares traded.

* The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Aphria Inc APHA.TO, which jumped 5.3% after Jefferies started coverage of the cannabis producer with a "buy" rating and First Quantum Minerals FM.TO, which rose 3.4%.

* ARC Resources ARX.TO fell 1.6%, the most on the TSX. The second biggest decliner was Eldorado Gold ELD.TO, down 1.4%.

* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Corus Enter B CJRb.TO, down 3.4%; Belo Sun Mining BSX.TO, which was flat and Aphria Inc APHA.TO, up 5.3%.

* The TSX posted 11 new 52-week highs and one new low.

* Across all Canadian issues there were 31 new 52-week highs and seven new lows, with total volume of 21.82 million shares.

(Reporting by Medha Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

((Medha.Singh@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1646 223 8780, outside U.S. +91 80 6749 1130; Twitter: https://twitter.com/medhasinghs; Reuters Messaging: medha.singh.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

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