Toronto Stocks End Higher; Energy Shares Advance

         By Satish Sarangarajan 

    TORONTO--The Canadian stock market closed higher Thursday, as energy shares led a broad rally.

    The S&P/TSX Composite index rose 45.32 points, or 0.3%, to 13475.33, and advances led declines 977 to 712, preliminary data showed. The blue chip S&P/TSX 60 added 2.55 points, or 0.3%, to 777.51.

    Volumes rose to 340.7 million shares from 323.0 million Wednesday. Nine of the 10 stock groups closed up.

    The heavyweight energy index rose 0.9%, as crude oil prices advanced. Canadian Natural Resources rose 1.7% and Talisman Energy advanced 1.3%.

    The financials index rose 0.1% and the industrials group added 0.9%.

    The materials index was the lone decliner, falling 0.5% on disappointing Chinese manufacturing data and lower bullion prices. Barrick Gold, the world's largest gold producer, closed down 0.8% and Kinross Gold fell 1.2%.

    Write to Satish Sarangarajan at