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TSX ends up 0.2% at 27,416.41

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Eclipses Thursday's record closing high

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Energy adds 1.1%, financials end up 0.6%

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Canadian National Railway ( CNI ) falls 4.1% on revenue miss

(Updates at market close)

By Fergal Smith

July 23 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index posted a

record high on Wednesday, helped by gains for energy and

financial shares, as investors cheered signs that countries are

reaching trade deals with the United States ahead of an August 1

deadline.

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

ended up 51.98 points, or 0.2%, at 27,416.41,

eclipsing Thursday's record closing high.

"It looks like deals are getting done," said Allan Small,

senior investment advisor of the Allan Small Financial Group

with iA Private Wealth. "This fear of August 1 may not

materialize."

Wall Street also rose as the European Union and the U.S.

appeared headed toward a trade deal similar to an agreement U.S.

President Donald Trump struck with Japan.

The energy sector added 1.1% and heavily weighted

financials, which include bank stocks, were up 0.6%.

"Banks are the bloodline of any economy," Small said, adding

that they would benefit if trade certainty were to improve the

economic outlook.

Rogers Communications Inc shares advanced 1.2%

after the company raised its annual service revenue forecast,

banking on a boost from its stake acquisition in Maple Leaf

Sports.

Not all sectors notched gains. The materials sector

, which includes metal mining shares, fell 0.5% as the

price of gold, a traditional safe haven, declined.

Industrials also ended lower, losing 0.6%. Shares of

Canadian National Railway Co ( CNI ) dropped 4.1% after the

company's second-quarter revenue missed expectations.