CANADA STOCKS-TSX climbs to six-week high as consumer-related stocks gain

Updates at market close

By Ragini Mathur and Fergal Smith

Jan 23 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index extended its recent winning streak on Thursday, led by gains for industrials and consumer-related stocks, as the prospect of a business friendly U.S. government continued to underpin investor sentiment.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 122.58 points, or 0.5%, at 25,434.08, its highest closing level since Dec. 11 and the eighth straight day of gains.

That's the longest daily winning streak since August.

U.S. stocks also notched gains as investors assessed a mixed bag of corporate earnings and digested comments from President Donald Trump, including a call for cuts in interest rates and oil prices.

"I think what Trump is telling the world is that the U.S. is open for business and in the first few days of his presidency, he has done away with a lot of restrictive policy and rules in the U.S.," said Allan Small, senior investment advisor at Allan Small Financial Group with iA Private Wealth.

Canadian businesses, such as banks, that have major U.S. operations, could benefit from Trump's proposed measures to cut taxes and loosen regulations, investors say.

The consumer discretionary sector rose 1.3%, helped by a gain of 4.4% for Canadian Tire Corporation CTCa.TO. Consumer staples was also up 1.3%.

Canadian retail sales were unchanged in November. That missed estimates of a 0.2% gain but preliminary data showed sales jumping 1.6% in December when a sales tax holiday began.

Industrials added 1.1%, with Badger Infrastructure Solutions Ltd BDGI.TO up 8.8% and Aecon Group Inc ARE.TO ending 7.3% higher.

The utilities sector, which could particularly benefit from lower interest rates, was up 1.1% and heavily weighted financials gained 0.6%.