(Updates with market opening prices)

By Ragini Mathur

Jan 23 (Reuters) -

Canada's main stock index extended gains on Thursday, aided

by energy and consumer staples shares, while investors remained

curious about U.S. President Donald Trump's policy moves.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index

was up 0.24% at 25,371.53, its highest since Dec. 13,

and could log its eighth straight winning session if gains hold.

On TSX, heavyweight energy was the top winning

sector, advancing 1.2%, taking cues from firm oil prices.

A 0.8% gain in consumer staples also

supported the index.

However, metal mining shares limited overall

gains, falling 1%, as gold prices dipped after hitting a near

three-month high in the previous session.

Markets will be watching for Trump's virtual address at the

World Economic Forum in Davos at 11:00 a.m. ET, for further

clarity on his policies.

"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.

While Trump's stance of tax cuts and reduced regulation

could benefit corporate profits, his

tariff threats

to Ottawa have kept domestic investors on edge.

Canadian retail sales were unchanged in November from

October, data released on Thursday showed. Higher sales at motor

vehicle and parts dealers were offset by lower sales at food and

beverage retailers, Statistics Canada said.

Meanwhile, although the number of Americans filing new

applications for unemployment benefits rose last week, the

increase was marginal, suggesting that solid job growth likely

continued in January.

Among individual stocks, intermediate oil and natural

gas company Birchcliff Energy ( BIREF ) rose the most at 8.5%

after brokerage TD Cowen upgraded its rating to 'buy'.