TSX Ends Week At Highest Since May 2015 -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks continued to rise Friday, with Toronto's main index grinding out a modest advance to a fresh 19-month high.

Gold stocks plunged, preventing a bigger rally.

Led yet again by gains in the financial sector, the S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 17 points, or 0.11 points, to 15,312.20, having touched its highest since May 2015.

Energy stocks rose 0.6 percent as crude oil prices jumped above $51 a barrel.

In corporate news, lender CIBC (CM.TO) is expected to increase a $3.8-billion bid for PrivateBancorp, the Globe and Mail reports.

BlackBerry (BB.TO) is bringing six security acquisitions into one platform called BlackBerry Secure.

A Barrick Gold (ABX.TO) subsidiary has lost its prospecting license in Tanzania.

A Fairfax Financial Holdings (FFH.TO) unit is selling half of its remaining stake in the Bank of Ireland.

BRP (DOO.TO) the maker of Ski-Doo snowmobiles, reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit.

Air Canada plans to add three U.S. routes next year, to cities San Antonio, Memphis and Savannah, the airline announced. Including these, the company will launch six new non-stop U.S. services beginning Spring 2017.

Sears Canada Inc reported a bigger third-quarter loss as same-store sales fell.