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TSX ends up 0.5% at 25,434.08

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Posts its eighth straight day of gains

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Consumer-related stocks lead gains

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Flash estimate shows jump in retail sales

(Updates at market close)

By Ragini Mathur and Fergal Smith

Jan 23 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index extended

its recent winning streak on Thursday, led by gains for

industrials and consumer-related stocks, as the prospect of a

business friendly U.S. government continued to underpin investor

sentiment.

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

was up 122.58 points, or 0.5%, at 25,434.08, its

highest closing level since Dec. 11 and the eighth straight day

of gains.

That's the longest daily winning streak since August.

U.S. stocks also notched gains as investors assessed a mixed

bag of corporate earnings and digested comments from President

Donald Trump, including a call for cuts in interest rates and

oil prices.

"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.

Canadian businesses, such as banks, that have major U.S.

operations, could benefit from Trump's proposed measures to cut

taxes and loosen regulations, investors say.

The consumer discretionary sector rose 1.3%, helped by a

gain of 4.4% for Canadian Tire Corporation ( CDNTF ). Consumer

staples was also up 1.3%.

Canadian retail sales were unchanged in November. That

missed estimates of a 0.2% gain but preliminary data showed

sales jumping 1.6% in December when a sales tax holiday began.

Industrials added 1.1%, with Badger Infrastructure Solutions

Ltd ( BADFF ) up 8.8% and Aecon Group Inc ( AEGXF ) ending 7.3%

higher.

The utilities sector, which could particularly benefit from

lower interest rates, was up 1.1% and heavily weighted

financials gained 0.6%.