Sept 28 - Canada's main stock index inched higher on Thursday and was set to snap a two-day losing streak as oil and gas companies climbed, with gains limited by declines in healthcare shares.
The energy sector added 0.6%, extending a five-day winning streak as crude oil prices held steady amid supply concerns and growing expectations that key Western economies will maintain high interest rates. The Canadian dollar strengthened against its U.S. counterpart, and the yield on benchmark government bond climbed.
Healthcare stocks were the biggest drags, down 1.1%, as shares of marijuana companies fell following a rally in the previous session after a banking bill moved forward in the U.S. Senate.Latest report showed the U.S. economy maintained a fairly strong pace of growth in the second quarter while the weekly jobless claims edged higher.