Leading the index were Home Capital Group Inc , up 24 percent after its quarterly results and buyback plan, Maxar Technologies Ltd , up 12.9 percent, and Precision Drilling Corp  , higher by 10.6 percent.

Lagging shares were NFI Group Inc , down 13.1 percent, Stars Group Inc, down 9.6 percent, and Iamgold Corp, lower by 8.2 percent.

On the TSX 153 issues rose and 89 fell as a 1.7-to-1 ratio favored advancers. There were 5 new highs and 11 new lows, with total volume of 270.9 million shares.

The most heavily traded shares by volume were Aurora Cannabis Inc , Bombardier Inc  and Aphria Inc.

The TSX's energy group  rose 0.56 points, or 0.33 percent, while the financials sector climbed 0.17 points, or 0.06 percent.

West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 1.04 percent, or $0.65, to $61.56 a barrel. Brent crude  fell 0.24 percent, or $0.18, to $71.96 [O/R]

The TSX is off 5.2 percent for the year.

(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak)