TSX Rises On Broad-based Gains -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks edged higher Thursday amid widespread but modest strength across most sectors.

At last check, the S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 66.83 points, or 0.48 percent, to 14,130.

Energy stocks rose along with crude oil prices as U.S. inventories fell last week.

There was little reaction to news that a pivotal OPEC meeting failed to produce a deal on capping output.

Iran refused to cooperate with requests to limit production as it attempts to make up for years of harsh sanctions.

The Energy Index rose 0.7 percent, while the Financial Index added 0.5 percent.

Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO) was up fractionally. The company has agreed to acquire Greene Holcomb Fisher, a premier boutique M&A advisory firm based in Minneapolis.

SNC-Lavalin Group (SNC.TO) was flat. The company announced that its Board of Directors has filed a notice to renew its normal course issuer bid for a 12-month period.

Health care stocks were down 2 percent.