TORONTO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index inched higher early on Thursday, with energy and mining stocks leading gains and banks and telecom stocks down a day after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's last meeting showed division over whether to raise rates.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 7.67 points, or 0.05 percent, at 14,705.27 shortly after the open.