The TSX was still in the red Thursday after mining stocks recovered and the huge decline in energy shares were reduced.
The S&P/TSX composite index moved lower 46.36 points to close at 13,828.97
The Canadian dollar added 0.53 cents at 77.84 cents U.S.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc, which has been subpoenaed by U.S. prosecutors over its drug pricing, dropped $12.35, or 5.4%, to $216.73.
Among metals and mining stocks, First Majestic Silver climbed 3.6%, to $5.42.
In the telecom sector, Rogers Communications added 1.2%, to $48.19.
Gold issues suffered, though, as Alamos Gold slid 5% to $6.09.
Niko Resources was the most actively traded stock, gaining 9.5 cents, or 190%, to 14.5 cents, on 21.7 million shares.
Economically speaking, the Canadian Real Estate Association said national home sales activity declined by 2.1% from August to September. Actual (not seasonally-adjusted) activity edged up 0.7% compared to September 2014.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange moved to within 0.05 points of breakeven to 556.71
Seven of the 13 TSX subgroups finished the day positive, with telecoms up 0.7%, consumer staples, ahead 0.6%, and metals and mining up 0.4%.
The half-dozen laggards were weighed most by health-care, down 1.5%, gold, off 0.8%, and energy, weaker by 0.6%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks closed higher Thursday as financial stocks rallied and mostly soft economic data supported the case for a rate hike delay.
The Dow Jones industrial average bolted 217 points, or 1.3%, higher to 17,141.75.
Goldman Sachs and Boeing contributed the most to gains. The greatest weight on the index was UnitedHealth, which recovered some losses but remained about 1.5% lower. The firm's third-quarter earnings beat but guidance held steady.
The S&P 500 popped 29.4 points, or 1.5%, to 2,023.64. Financials rose 2.3% to lead all sectors in the S&P 500 higher.
The NASDAQ index vaulted 87.25 points, or 1.8%, to 4,870.10, as Apple gained 1.4%.
Goldman Sachs reported earnings that missed on the top and bottom line as a decline in bond trading hurt profits.
Citigroup earnings beat but revenue missed expectations and declined from the same period last year.
Earnings season has started off with some weak corporate commentaries, despite the fact that most companies so far are beating on the bottom line.
Wal-Mart's disappointing forecast Wednesday of a potential double-digit earnings decline in the coming fiscal year kicked a market already reacting to weaker-than-expected September retail sales, soft producer prices and flat business inventories.
The stock traded about 2% lower Thursday after an historic plunge of 10% Wednesday.
Traders also eyed the initial public offering of payment processor First Data, which traded mildly lower after an initial attempt to hold higher. On Wednesday, the year's largest IPO was priced at a discount while supermarket operator Albertsons' IPO, the second largest, was postponed.
Schlumberger, Mattel, Western Alliance, People's United Financial and WD-40 are all due after the bell.
In economic news, September CPI declined 0.2%, matching expectations. Ex-food and energy, the price index rose 0.2% for the month, following a 0.1% rise in August.
Weekly jobless claims came in at 255,000. The October Empire State Index posted a read of negative 11.36. The index showed negative 14.67 in September.
The Philly Fed index posted negative 4.5 for October.
Prices for 10-year U.S. Treasuries were lower, raising yields to 2.02% from Wednesday’s 2%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices squirted higher six cents a barrel to $46.70 U.S.
Gold prices docked $1.33 to $1,182.60 U.S. an ounce.
