Lackluster Session As Energy Shares Slide -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks were lower Wednesday, with weakness seen in the energy and financial sectors.

Consumer staples stocks were higher after strong earnings from a pair of grocery store companies.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was down 22.88 points, or 0.16%, to 14,733.22, trimming big gains from the previous session.

Supermarket operator Loblaw Companies (L.TO) said third quarter profit rose 25% compared to the same period last year. Shares rose 3.2%

Grocery store chain Metro Inc. (MRU.TO) reported a 10% increase in its fourth-quarter profit compared with a year ago. Shares rose 2.3%.

In economic news, Canadian manufacturing sales were up 0.3% in September. The gain reflected higher sales in the transportation equipment and fabricated metal industries.

The eligibility rate for receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits was 82.8% in 2015, little changed from 83.1% in 2014.