BMO, Banks Lead TSX Higher -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks eked out modest gains Tuesday, following oil prices higher.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 16 points to 14,764.77.

Strength emerged in the financial sector after better-than-expected earnings from Bank of Montreal.

BMO reported a quarterly profit of C$1.29 billion, or C$1.94 per share.

This was higher than C$1.23 billion, or C$1.86 per share, in last year's third quarter.

Canada's other big banks will report earnings in the coming days.

Energy stocks were up fractionally, even as Oct. WTI oil settled at $48.10/bbl on Nymex, up 69 cents, or 1.5%.