(Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose for the first time in six sessions on Monday, as appetite for riskier assets improved around the globe after a report sparked hopes of a trade truce between the United States and China.
* At 9:39 a.m. ET (1439 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was up 48.47 points, or 0.29%, at 17,003.31.
* A Chinese state-backed newspaper said on Monday, Beijing and Washington were "very close" to an initial trade agreement, adding to optimism sparked by comments over the weekend by a U.S. trade adviser that a deal was still possible this year.
* Also helping the mood was deal making activity.
* Detour Gold Corp jumped nearly 5% after bigger rival Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd agreed to buy the miner for about C$4.89 billion ($3.68 billion) in an all-stock deal. Kirkland Lake shares fell nearly 16%.
* Kirkland Lake's shared declined the most on the TSX and weighed on the broader materials index, which shed 0.4%.
* Data showed Canadian wholesale trade increased by 1% in September from August on stronger sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector, as well as personal and household goods.
* The energy sector dropped 0.5% as U.S. crude prices were down 0.3% a barrel, while Brent crude was flat. [O/R]
* On the TSX, 149 issues were higher, while 70 issues declined for a 2.13-to-1 ratio favoring gainers, with 23.59 million shares traded.
* The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were shares of Hexo Corp (TO:HEXO), which jumped 8.1% followed by Detour Gold.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Husky Energy (TO:HSE), Nemaska Lithium (TO:NMX) and Aurora Cannabis (TO:ACB).
* The TSX posted nine new 52-week highs and no new low.
* Across all Canadian issues there were 61 new 52-week highs and six new lows, with total volume of 39.13 million shares.