TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index rose for a second straight session yesterday as US corporate results and economic data boosted optimism about recovery.

Royal Bank of Canada led the heavyweight gainers, rising 1.9 percent to C$53.80, while Canadian Natural Resources gained 2.5 percent to C$70.71. Research In Motion helped support the move higher, climbing 2.2 percent to C$69.55.

"Equity markets are up globally. The risk trade has come back on," said John Johnston, chief strategist for Harbour Group at RBC Dominion Securities.

Investor sentiment was lifted in part by reassuring US corporate results and US data that showed pending sales of previously owned homes edged up in December

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended the day up 90.79 points, or 0.8 percent, at 11,408.34, with all of the index's 10 main groups higher.

EnCana Corp. climbed two percent to C$34.25, helped as the price of crude got a boost, in part from a weaker greenback . Teck Resources rose 2.7 percent to C$37.70 as base metals prices were firmer.

Canada's currency rose against the US dollar yesterday as influential commodity prices firmed and positive US economic data fueled investor appetite for riskier assets.

"Some of the overseas currencies managed to make some gains against the greenback partly reflecting growing confidence about the sustainability of the recovery, carry-over from some of the stronger economic data that were seen yesterday," said Paul Ferley, assistant chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada.

He was referring to Monday's data that showed US manufacturing expanded in January at its fast pace since 2004. Mr. Ferley also noted that the Canadian dollar ticked higher on news of an expected rise of existing US pending home sales in December.