The TSX 300 inched up 8.78 points to begin the session at 14,864.98
The Canadian dollar fell 0.10 cents to $88.38
Life insurer Manulife Financial Corp reported a 6.4% rise in third-quarter profit, driven by strong sales in Asian markets such as Japan, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Manulife shares gathered nine cents to $21.76.
Legislation to approve the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline began racing through the U.S. Congress on Wednesday as Democrats and Republicans appeared to be coming together in a challenge of President Barack Obama's oversight of the project. Oil companies such as TransCanada Corp. gained 19 cents to $57.24.
U.S. telecommunications provider ShoreTel Inc rejected Canadian peer Mitel Networks Corp's higher bid, saying it "significantly undervalued" the company. Mitel shares dropped seven cents to $11.35.
On the economic front, Statistics Canada reported this morning that its New Housing Price Index rose 0.1% in September, following a 0.3% increase in August. Provincially, increases in Ontario and Alberta offset declines in Quebec and Manitoba.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 0.13 points to 771.50
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks rose on Thursday, with Wal-Mart Stores helping lifting the Dow to another record, as investors embraced earnings from the world's largest retailer and data showing jobless claims holding at a 14-year low.
The Dow Jones Industrials moved ahead 60.26 to 17, 672.46, while the S&P 500 advanced 5.04 to 2,043.29, and the NASDAQ index grew 26.30 to 4,701.44
Of the 453 S&P 500 companies that have reported quarterly earnings, 74.8% have topped expectations, according to numbers compiled by Thomson Reuters.
Wal-Mart climbed after the company reported a larger-than-expected profit as comparable sales at U.S. stores climbed for the first quarter in seven. J.C. Penney shares declined after the retailer posted a less-than-estimated quarterly loss but said same-store sales were flat.
The U.S. Labor Department on Thursday reported initial claims for state unemployment benefits climbed 12,000 to 290,000 last week, above the 280,000 forecast but beneath 300,000 for a ninth consecutive week.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury were unchanged keeping yields at Wednesday’s 2.36 %.
Oil prices sank 98 cents to $76.20 U.S.
Gold prices tacked on $3.30 to $1,162.40 U.S.
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