Equities Flat on Quiet Day

Canada's main stock index was trading flat on Thursday, as U.S.-China trade jitters resurfaced after U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a bill supporting protesters in Hong Kong, drawing sharp rebuke from Beijing.

The TSX Composite Index had regained 15.58 points to greet noon on a slow day at 17,116.15

The Canadian dollar gave up 0.01 cents to 75.26 cents U.S.

The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Aurora Cannabis, gaining eight cents, or 2.4%, to $3.44, and Canopy Growth Co, which jumped 75 cents, or 3%, to $25.75

Ballard Power fell 18 cents, or 2%, to $8.96, while Meg Energy, down 16 cents, or 2.9%, to $5.43..

On the economic calendar, Statistics Canada reported that average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees were $1,042 in September, up 0.9% from August.

Compared with September 2018, earnings grew by 4.0%, continuing an upward trend observed since March.

Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 subtracted 0.1% Thursday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index fell back 0.2%.

Oil prices were off 30 cents at $58.11 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices handed back $1.52 to $1,455.17 U.S. an ounce.

Read: Cannabis Showing Big Signs of Life on Two Sizable Catalysts

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange sank 1.63 points by Thursday noon to 532.18

Seven of the 12 Toronto subgroups had added muscle midday, with health-care ahead 1.8%, gold up 0.7%, and materials surging 0.6%,

The five laggards were weighed most by energy, real-estate and consumer discretionary, each down 0.3%.

ON WALLSTREET

U.S. markets are shuttered for the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. They will return Friday for a partial session.