CANADA STOCKS-TSX gains on signs of easing Sino-US trade tensions

By Sukriti Gupta and Ragini Mathur

May 2 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose on Friday and was on track for its fourth consecutive weekly gain, as signs of potential easing in U.S.-China trade tensions and a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report boosted investor sentiment.

Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE mirrored gains in Wall Street peers, advancing 0.75% to 24,977.57 points. The index is up 0.3% for the week so far.

Beijing on Friday said it was "evaluating" an offer from Washington to hold talks over U.S. President Donald Trump's 145% tariffs on China, signaling that trade tensions between the world's two largest economies were easing.

"If China and the US deescalate their trade war that can only be good for global growth and Canada's pro-cyclical economy and stock market," said Brian Madden, chief investment officer and portfolio manager at First Avenue Investment Counsel.

Meanwhile, data showed non-farm payrolls increased more-than-expected in April, with the unemployment rate steady at 4.2%, which further aided the mood.

Optimism over potential trade talks between the U.S. and China countered the disappointment of earnings updates from U.S. tech giant Apple AAPL.O and Amazon.com AMZN.O.

On TSX, industrials .GSPTTIN rose 1.3% on Friday with Bombardier BBDb.TO advancing 4.4% after at least three brokerages raised target price on the stock after the business jet manufacturer reported higher first-quarter revenue on Thursday.

Energy .SPTTEN stocks advanced 0.7% as oil prices stabilized.

The healthcare .GSPTTHC sector led gains with a 1.4% rise, while information and technology .SPTTTK sector was up 0.9%, mirroring gains in U.S. peers.