May 24 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose on Friday after two days of sharp declines as sentiment was lifted by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump predicting a swift end to the trade dispute with China.
* At 9:37 a.m. ET (13:37 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 74.17 points, or 0.46%, at 16,238.78.
* The index is still on track to end the week lower.
* Nine of the index's 11 major sectors gained, with healthcare .GSPTTHC sector's 1% rise.
* The energy sector .SPTTEN climbed 0.1% as U.S. crude CLc1 prices rose 1.5% a barrel, while Brent crude LCOc1 added 1.3%. O/R
* The financials sector .SPTTFS gained 0.5%. The industrials sector .GSPTTIN rose 0.6%.
* The materials sector .GSPTTMT , which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 0.4%. GOL/ MET/L
* On the TSX, 186 issues were higher, while 41 issues declined for a 4.54-to-1 ratio favoring gainers, with 12.06 million shares traded.
* The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Aphria Inc APHA.TO , which jumped 5.3% after Jefferies started coverage of the cannabis producer with a "buy" rating and First Quantum Minerals FM.TO , which rose 3.4%.
* ARC Resources ARX.TO fell 1.6%, the most on the TSX. The second biggest decliner was Eldorado Gold ELD.TO , down 1.4%.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Corus Enter B CJRb.TO , down 3.4%; Belo Sun Mining BSX.TO , which was flat and Aphria Inc APHA.TO , up 5.3%.
* The TSX posted 11 new 52-week highs and one new low.
* Across all Canadian issues there were 31 new 52-week highs and seven new lows, with total volume of 21.82 million shares.