TSX Fights Way Higher

Equities in Canada’s largest market made their way doggedly higher by the end of Thursday’s session, on the backs of energy and industrial stocks.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index gained 12.65 points to close a fairly quiet Thursday at 16,588.85

The Canadian dollar eked up 0.01 cents to 76.60 cents U.S.

Among energy concerns, Meg Energy collected 17 cents, or 3.5%, to $5.07, while Ensign Energy gained 14 cents, or 3.4%, to $4.29.

In the industrial sector, Richelieu Hardware shares rose $2.40, or 10.8%, to $24.62, after reporting quarterly results, while Air Canada took wing 75 cents, or 1.8%, to $41.81.

In the materials sector, Ivanhoe Mines vaulted 11 cents, or 2.5%, to $4.51, while Pan American Silver took on nine cents to $16.81.

Weed producer Canopy Growth seesawed throughout the day, finally forfeiting 35 cents, to close at $53.17, despite brokerage Bryan Garnier downgrading its stock to neutral from buy. Shares in peer Cronos Group were down six cents to $20.01.

In discretionary stocks, Magna International faded 70 cents in price, or 1.1%, to $63.07, while Dollarama gave back 49 cents, or 1%, to $48.40.

Among consumer staples, Empire Company dropped 47 cents, or 1.4%, to $32.98, while The North West Company surrendered 30 cents, or 1%, to $29.68.


ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange inched up 1.68 points to 587.84

The 12 Toronto subgroups was evenly divided between gainers and losers, energy and industrial stocks led the former camp, gathering 0.5% each, while materials poked ahead 0.2%.

The half-dozen laggards were weighed most by health-care, losing 0.5%, consumer discretionary stocks, sliding 0.4%, and consumer staples, off 0.3%.

Oil prices dropped 54 cents to $56.80 U.S. a barrel.

Gold lost $2.90 to $1,418.00 U.S. per ounce.

ON WALLSTREET

U.S. Markets Were Shuttered for Independence Day