Dec 31 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index gained on Monday, the last trading day of 2018, boosted by energy stocks as oil prices rose on hints of progress on a possible Sino-U.S. trade deal.
* The energy sector .SPTTEN climbed 1.5 percent, the most among the nine sectors trading higher, as U.S. crude CLc1 prices were up 0.6 percent a barrel and Brent crude LCOc1 added 1 percent. O/R
* U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he had a "long and very good call" with Chinese President Xi Jinping and that a possible trade deal between the United States and China was progressing well. The consumer discretionary sector .GSPTTCD rose 1.19 percent, lifted by Canada Goose's GOOS.TO 6.1 percent rise, the most on the TSX.
* Large crowds flocked to the retailer's new outdoor-wear store in downtown Beijing, its first in mainland China, since its opening on Friday, despite sub-zero temperatures and a chill in China's relations with Canada. At 9:42 a.m. ET (14:42 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 64.91 points, or 0.46 percent, at 14,286.91.
* The index has fallen 11.97 percent this year, snapping a two-year winning streak and is set to post its worst yearly decline since the financial crisis of 2008.
* On the TSX, 206 issues were higher, while 31 issues declined for a 6.65-to-1 ratio favoring gainers, with 14.10 million shares traded.
* Cannabis producer Aphria Inc APHA.TO fell 4.6 percent, the most on the TSX, pulling away further from Green Growth Brands Ltd's GGB.CD planned offer price of C$11. The second biggest decliner was First Majestic Silver Corp FR.TO , down 2 percent.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Barrick Gold ABX.TO , Aurora Cannabis ACB.TO and Aphria.
* The TSX posted one new 52-week high and one new low.
* Across all Canadian issues, there were four new 52-week highs and three new lows, with a total volume of 25.90 million shares.