TORONTO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Canada's main stock index continued up Friday, due to strong gains in oil and metals prices.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index rose 39.11 points, or 0.25 percent, to close the day at 15,577.81.

There were 146 advancing issues and 92 declining ones.

The Canadian dollar strengthened 0.49 cents to 0.7802 U.S. dollar.

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd was the biggest gainer, rising 6 percent to 3.15 Canadian dollars, while First Quantum Minerals rose 1.8 percent to 20.21 Canadian dollars.

Yamana Gold was the biggest decliner, falling 5.6 percent. New Gold Inc and IAMGOLD Corp were also among the biggest losers, losing 3.4 percent and 2.4 percent respectively.

Health-care stocks also faded as Canopy Growth lost 2.6 percent to 30.98 Canadian dollars, while MedReleaf fell 3.5 percent to 18.63 Canadian dollars.