* The Toronto Stock Exchange's TSX rises 0.38 percent to 18,026.36 

* Leading the index were First Majestic Silver Corp , up 9.2%, MEG Energy Corp, up 8.9%, and Pan American Silver Corp, higher by 7.2%.

* Lagging shares were Trillium Therapeutics Inc, down 7.2%, Methanex Corp, down 6.7%, and Aphria Inc, lower by 4.3%.

* On the TSX 138 issues rose and 80 fell as a 1.7-to-1 ratio favored advancers. There were 8 new highs and no new lows, with total volume of 160.5 million shares.

* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Blackberry Ltd, Aphria Inc and Crescent Point Energy Corp.

* The TSX's energy group fell 0.11 points, or 0.1%, while the financials sector slipped 0.31 points, or 0.1%.

* West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.57%, or $0.3, to $53.28 a barrel. Brent crude  rose 0.05%, or $0.03, to $55.93 [O/R]

* The TSX is up 3.4% for the year.