News

By Fergal Smith

(Reuters) -Canada's main stock index rose to a record high on Friday, with energy and financials contributing to broad-based gains as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell endorsed the start of rate cuts, raising hopes the economy could avoid recession.

The S&P/TSX composite index ended up 248.61 points, or 1.1%, at 23,286.08, eclipsing Wednesday's record closing high. For the week, the TSX added 1%, its third straight week of gains.

Wall Street's major indexes also rose after Powell said, "The time has come" to reduce interest rates. The Bank of Canada has already cut rates twice since June and is expected to continue easing over the coming year.

"I would characterize it as a soft landing type trade," said Mike Archibald, a portfolio manager at AGF Investments. "You have huge moves in financials - they benefit from rates coming down and loan growth picking up."

Financials, which account for 29% of the TSX's weighting, rose 1.2%, while energy was up 1.1% as the price of oil settled 2.5% higher at $74.83 a barrel.

The materials group, which includes metal miners and fertilizer companies, advanced 1.2% as gold and copper prices rose. All 10 major sectors ended higher.

Shares of Canadian National Railway gained 1.6% and Canadian Pacific Kansas City shares were up 1.3%, one day after the Canadian government moved to end a work stoppage at Canada's two major railroads.

The union representing workers at CN said the workers would strike on Monday after returning to work on Friday. A lockout at CPKC has yet to be officially lifted.

It's challenging for the economy to have both railroads shut at the same time, Archibald said, adding "it was largely expected that the government would quickly move to address this issue."