* TSX finishes up 109.50 points at 11,180.70
* U.S. economic data helps index higher
* Sun Life, Manulife fall after earnings reports
(Updates to close, adds quote)
By Jennifer Kwan
TORONTO, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index
finished higher on Thursday as U.S. business productivity and
weekly jobs data helped to lift investor confidence in the
economic recovery.
The figures showed third-quarter business productivity grew
at the fastest pace in six years and that new claims for
jobless aid fell to a 10-month low last week, indicating the
decline in the labor market may be hitting bottom.
[ID:nN05106320]
"The U.S. productivity numbers basically shot the lights
out. It was a really good print," said Lex Kerkovius, senior
research analyst at McLean & Partners Wealth Management Ltd.,
in Calgary.
Among the top Toronto gainers were Royal Bank of Canada
(RY.TO), up 2.5 percent at C$55.58, and Toronto-Dominion Bank
(TD.TO), which climbed 2.9 percent to C$64.80. Teck Resources
(TCKb.TO) was up 4.8 percent at C$33.38.
As well, Kerkovius said a rosy earnings results from
technology bellwether Cisco (CSCO.O), released on Wednesday,
helped to boost sentiment. [ID:nN04515993]
The S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE ended up 109.50
points, or 0.99 percent, at 11,180.70, with all of its 10 main
groups higher.
On the downside were insurers Sun Life Financial Inc
(SLF.TO), down 6.5 percent at C$28.16, and Manulife Financial
Corp (MFC.TO), which retreated 3.55 percent to C$19.86. Both
reported surprise losses on Thursday. [ID:nN05115880]
Strength in energy and materials sectors, up 0.96 percent
and 1.2 percent, respectively, also helped lift the broader
market. EnCana Corp (ECA.TO) rose 1.8 percent and Potash Corp
of Saskatchewan (POT.TO) climbed 1.6 percent.
($1=$1.07 Canadian)
(Reporting by Jennifer Kwan; Editing by Jeffrey Hodgson)
