By Adriano Marchese


Toronto-listed stocks were slightly higher in midday trading Thursday.

Most sectors were in positive territory, with utilities, tech and retail leading the push. Energy was the main laggard, with smaller losses logged in process industries.

On the macroeconomic front, housing starts in Canada fell by 13% last month, capping a modest pickup last year that was buoyed by historically high rental construction levels.

Canada's S&P/TSX Composite Index was 0.3% higher, at 24851.21, and the blue-chip S&P/TSX 60 rose 0.3%, to 1489.81.

Richelieu Hardware's stock rose 1.9%, to 38.32 Canadian dollars (US$26.72) a share, after reporting strength in both its Canadian and U.S. markets helped drive sales higher than expected in the fourth quarter.


Other market movers:

Orla Mining reported that it produced less gold in the fourth quarter from its operations in Mexico and Nevada compared with a year ago, but said that it has reached its guidance for the full year. Shares fell 1.3%, to C$8.27.


Write to Adriano Marchese at adriano.marchese@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-16-25 1219ET