Energy stocks help boost Toronto market, U.S. indices down

TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index inched forward Wednesday on the strength of the energy sector.

The S&P/TSX composite index gained nine points to 15,627.93.

The energy sector led the lift, with shares gaining an average 1.08 per cent of their worth.

The sector’s rise was partially a reflection of the price of oil advancing, said Matthew Rodier, vice-president and investment advisor at TD Wealth.

The June crude contract gained 68 cents to US$67.93 per barrel.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 174.07 points to 23,924.98, the S&P 500 index shed 19.13 points to 2,635.67 and the Nasdaq composite index declined by 29.80 points to 7,100.90.

The Canadian dollar was trading at 77.81 cents US, up 0.09 of a U.S. cent.

Elsewhere in commodities, the June natural gas contract fell about five cents to roughly US$2.75 per mmBTU. The June gold contract shed US$1.20 to US$1,305.60 an ounce and the July copper contract rose about three cents to roughly US$3.07 a pound.