TORONTO (Bloomberg) - Canadian stocks rose for a second day, led by Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. and Barrick Gold Corp., as corn climbed to a record and bullion prices advanced.

Royal Bank of Canada led financial companies higher on optimism their dividend yields can support the shares while the lenders absorb the fallout from US housing and mortgage losses. Research In Motion Ltd., maker of the BlackBerry e-mail phone, gained on speculation it will post better-than-expected profit next week and may raise its forecast for the next quarter.

The Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index rose 1.1 percent to 14,944.28 in Toronto. The S&P/TSX is up eight percent this year, and rose to a record May 20, as oil and other commodity prices soared. "It's the same old story in Canada — most of the commodities are up," said Robert Callander, who helps manage about $1.9 billion at Caldwell Securities Ltd. in Toronto. "Potash's up. We like the gold stocks. I'm adding to some banks." Potash Corp., the largest crop nutrient maker, gained 1.5 percent to C$235.67, rising to a record for a fourth day. Agrium Inc., North America's third-biggest producer, increased 1.7 percent to C$108.30, also its fourth-straight record.

Corn climbed to a record near $8 a bushel in Chicago as storms pounded crops in the US, the largest producer and exporter, and caused what may be the worst flooding in the Midwest since 1993.

"Potash's in a perfect positive storm," said Norman Levine who helps oversee about $293 million as managing director at Portfolio Management Corp. in Toronto. "Demand for fertilisers is soaring around the world, and now the storms in the US. The crops will have to be re-seeded and re-fertilised."

Barrick Gold, the biggest bullion miner, advanced 1.8 percent to C$40.35. Goldcorp Inc. added 2.2 percent to C$40.30. Gold futures rose 1.5 percent to $886.30 an ounce in New York. Natural gas advanced to a 29-month high and crude oil fell after touching a record of $139.89 a barrel.