North American stock markets edge higher in early trading, loonie down

TORONTO — North American stock markets edged higher in early trading today while the Canadian dollar lost ground.

The S&P/TSX composite index gained 3.07 points at 14,517.59.

Meanwhile, the loonie stepped back 0.10 of a cent to 77.43 cents U.S.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 43.97 points at 18,550.38, while the broader S&P 500 added 4.48 points at 2,168.23. The Nasdaq composite climbed 9.36 points at 5,043.42.

The August crude oil contract gained 21 cents at US$45.89 per barrel, while the August contract for natural gas fell 3.5 cents to US$2.692 per mmBtu.

The August gold contract fell US$6.80 to US$1,325.40 per ounce.

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