* TSX down 104.02 points, or 0.78 percent, to 13,205.78
* Five of the TSX's 10 main groups were lower
TORONTO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell
on Tuesday amid weakness in resource stocks and a tumble in
shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc (N:VRX) VRX.TO as
the market reopened following an extended Christmas break.
The market was closed Friday for Christmas and Monday in
lieu of Boxing Day on Saturday. It rose 2.2 percent last week.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc VRX.TO fell
nearly 12 percent to C$138.81. On Monday, the company said a
group of executives would take over for its chief executive
officer until he returns from medical leave. CEO Michael
Pearson (L:PSON), 56, is being treated for severe pneumonia.
The stock saw a more moderate loss in New York after falling
sharply on Monday VRX.N .
Goldcorp Inc fell 4.6 percent to C$16.12 and Barrick Gold
Corp declined 4.3 percent to C$10.38.
The overall materials group fell 2.8 percent.
At 11:12 a.m. EST (1612 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's
S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE fell 104.02 points, or 0.78
percent, to 13,205.78, with five of the index's 10 main groups
in negative territory.
Energy stocks fell 1.2 percent, including a 2.9 percent drop
in Encana Corporation ECA.TO to C$6.78.
Crude oil prices rallied in thin trade on the prospect of
colder weather, but only after falling more than 3 percent on
Monday.
U.S. crude CLc1 prices were up 2.2 percent to $37.63 a
barrel, while Brent crude LCOc1 added 2.4 percent to
$37.5. O/R
Financial sector stocks clung to a modest gain, helped by a
0.4 percent advance for Bank of Montreal BMO.TO to C$79.06.
Loblaw Companies Ltd L.TO rose 1.2 percent to C$67.08.