TORONTO: Canada's main stock index ended higher on Thursday, helped by gains among energy stocks as oil prices picked up as well as rising financial, consumer and technology stocks.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index closed up 106.9 points, or 0.67 percent, at 16,015.68.
Eight of the index's 10 main sectors finished in positive territory, with advancers outnumbering decliners by a 1.7-to-1 ratio.
The financials group, which accounts for more than a third of the index's weight, gained 0.6 percent as Brookfield Asset Management Inc added 2.8 percent to C$55.25 and Bank of Nova Scotia rose 1.2 percent to C$82.78.
The energy group, another major force on the index, added 0.4 percent, with Suncor Energy Inc up 1.3 percent at C$44.11 and pipeline operator Enbridge Inc
Oil prices climbed more than 1 percent due to a threatened strike in Nigeria and as traders cover shorts after sharp losses the previous day brought on by an unexpectedly large rise in US stocks of refined fuels.
BlackBerry Ltd rose 1.2 percent to C$13.21 after announcing it would expand its partnership with chipmaker Qualcomm into automotive systems on a non-exclusive basis.
Dollarama Inc jumped 5.3 percent to C$157.61 after the discount store chain announced a share buyback plan and as a string of analysts adjusted their price targets on the stock following earnings that topped expectations on Wednesday.
Industrials, led by gains for the country's two main railway companies, rose 0.7 percent, while Westjet Airlines Ltd added 2.9 percent to C$27.16 after RBC raised its price target on the stock after its Wednesday announcement of a joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
The materials group, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 0.7 percent.
Emera Inc fell 3.0 percent to C$47.83 after the energy company announced a bought deal to raise at least C$700 million.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc rose 5.4 percent, recovering from a fall on Wednesday after announcing the pricing on its latest debt issuance.
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