Staff of Reuters Read for 2 minutes (Updates prices, sectors) Reuters, July 8 – On Thursday, Canada’s main stock index fell for the first time in almost four months, driven down by a 2.4 percent decrease in energy stocks as crude prices continued to fall due to supply uncertainties. The oil sector slumped 2.4 percent as crude prices plummeted amid fears that the existing supply pact will be scrapped following a breakdown in talks among OPEC+ members. Meanwhile, the financials and materials sectors both fell 1.5 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively, adding to the gloomy atmosphere. The Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index was down 235.16 points, or 1.16 percent, at 20,055.44 at 9:38 a.m. ET (13:38 GMT). Nexgen Energy Ltd, a uranium firm, plummeted 4.8 percent, the most on the TSX. Aritzia Inc, a fashion store, was the second-largest loser, down 4.7 percent. * With 15.56 million shares traded on the TSX, 16 issues were higher and 210 issues were lower, for a 13.13-to-1 ratio to the downside. Parex Resources Inc soared 2.4 percent as various brokerages raised their price targets for the oil producer’s stock, and railroad operator Canadian National Railway Co jumped 2.1 percent on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Bombardier Inc, Headwater Exploration Inc, and Crescent Point Energy Corp. were the most highly traded stocks by volume. There were no new 52-week highs or lows on the TSX. There were nine new 52-week highs and eight new lows across all Canadian issues, with total volume of 35.49 million shares. (Bengaluru-based reporter Amal S contributed to this report; Krishna Chandra Eluri edited it.)/n
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