TORONTO -- Canada's main stock index rose on Tuesday as higher oil prices lent support to its energy sector, while investors trimmed exposure to some of the country's big banks ahead of their earnings season next week.

Gold miners also weighed as the precious metal eased on a strengthening U.S. dollar.

The energy group climbed 0.5 per cent as oil prices pushed higher, with pipeline operator Enbridge Inc (ENB.TO) adding 1.6 per cent to $50.18 and rival TransCanada (TRP.TO) up 1.1 per cent to $62.61. Major producer Suncor Energy Inc (SU.TO) rose 0.4 per cent to $39.04.

The energy sector, which accounts for one-fifth of the index, has weighed heavily on it so far this year, having fallen almost 25 per cent.

"We're seeing some negative rotation outgoing from banks, surprisingly finding some homes in the energy complex," said Sid Mokhtari, market technician and director of institutional equity research at CIBC World Markets. "Going into its earnings season investors are nervous about banks."

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO) slipped 0.2 per cent to $64.28 and Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO) came off 0.2 per cent to $91.63. TD said its investment banking would expand in Dublin in response to uncertainty triggered by Brexit.

Mokhtari said he expects banks to dip further with uninspiring earnings, due next week, and would look to buy into the sector at that point.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended up 33.08 points, or 0.22 per cent, at 14,984.96.

Eight of the index's 10 main groups were in positive territory.

Consumer discretionary stocks gained 0.8 per cent overall, as Statistics Canada reported that retail sales hit a record $48.99 billion in June and were up in six of the 11 sectors. They grew by 1.1 per cent when weak auto sales and lower gasoline prices were excluded.

Fast food company Restaurant Brands International (QSR.TO) rose 2.4 per cent to $78.06 and auto parts maker Magna International Inc (MG.TO) added 1.7 per cent to $59.36.

The materials group, which includes base and precious metal miners as well as fertilizer companies, lost 0.5 per cent overall as gold prices fell.

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp (WPM.TO) was down 1.6 per cent at $23.75, and Kinross Gold Corp (K.TO) lost 2.4 per cent to $5.24, while fertilizer company Agrium Inc (AGU.TO) shed 1.2 per cent to $121.31 and Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (POT.TO) fell one per cent to $21.59.