Energy and mining stocks got a boost from rising commodity prices Monday but Canada’s main stock index closed down overall to kick off a short trading week.
The S&P/TSX composite index was down 41.80 points at 21,942.28.
Trading volumes were light coming off of last week’s rally, which saw the S&P/TSX composite nudge to a new all-time closing high on Thursday before taking a breather on Friday.
The best performing sector on Bay Street on Monday was the oil and gas industry, with the S&P/TSX capped energy index up almost two per cent by day’s end.
The May crude contract was up US$1.32 at US$81.95 per barrel and the May natural gas contract was down two cents at US$1.79 per mmBTU.
Mining companies also saw gains, thanks to the price of gold which continued its ascent Monday.
The April gold contract was up US$16.40 at US$2,176.40 an ounce and the May copper contract was up a penny at US$4.02 a pound.
“Oil is strong and…
