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TSX falls with oil, but notches 0.1 pct gain in August

The most influential movers on the index included Suncor Energy Inc, which fell 1.9 percent to C$35.73, and TransCanada Corp, which declined 1.2 percent to C$59.14.

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The Canadian dollar was at 76.77 cents United States, down 0.15 of a cent from Friday’s close.

The index eked out a 0.1 percent gain over the course of August but is trading just below a 13-month peak hit mid-month.

The financial sector slipped 0.5 percent on the day, while telecoms were off 0.6 percent.

Dollarama Inc rose 0.7 percent to C$97.57 after the dollar store operator reported a higher-than-expected profit.

In other commodities, October natural gas dipped two cents at US$2.90 per mmBTU, the December gold contract added $1.20 to US$1,327.10 an ounce and December copper was down a penny to US$2.08 a pound.

Shares in First Majestic Silver Corp declined 5.1 per cent to $15 after a hedge fund disclosed a short position in the stock.

Agrium Inc AGU.TO and Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc POT.TO said they were in talks to merge, a deal to create a fertilizer and farm retailing giant worth more than $25 billion but which could also trigger USA regulatory scrutiny. Farmers plan to pressure regulators to protect their interests in any deal.

The energy group fell 0.5 percent as rising supply weighed on crude prices. Its shares closed 1.55 per cent higher, or $1.07, to $69.93.

Adatia said US investors were also shying away from making any big bets until the latest job employment figures are released Friday.

The S&P 500 was up 1.33 points, or 0.06 per cent, at 2,172.28. Investors will closely read the report, looking for clues about whether the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in September. The Markit manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index stateside came in at 52.0.

Prices for the 10-year Treasury gained ground, lowering yields to 1.57% from Wednesday’s 1.58%.

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December gold dropped $5.50 to US$1,322.00 an ounce and December copper contracts fell almost a cent to US$2.07 a pound.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange