Feb 21 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell on Thursday in broad-based declines, as material shares were down on the back of a fall in gold prices and lower oil prices weighed on energy stocks.
* In key focus was developments on the trade front between the world's largest economies that have roiled global markets for the most part of last year.
* The United States and China have started to outline commitments in principle on the stickiest issues in their trade dispute, marking the most significant progress yet toward ending a seven-month trade war, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. At 9:44 a.m. ET (14:44 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was down 40.75 points, or 0.25 percent, at 15,990.49.
* The materials sector .GSPTTMT , which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, shed 0.9 percent as gold futures GCc1 fell 0.8 percent to $1,332.6 an ounce. GOL/
* The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd OR.TO , which rose 5.9 percent, followed by Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd KL.TO , which gained 5.0 percent. Both companies had reported their quarterly results.
* The energy sector .SPTTEN edged down 0.2 percent as crude oil prices were slightly lower. O/R
* The healthcare sector .GSPTTHC rose 0.61 percent, and was the only major sector to be trading higher.
* Gainers in the group were led by cannabis producers Aphria APHA.TO , Cronos Group CRON.TO and Aurora Cannabis ACB.TO , which rose between 1 percent and 3 percent.
* On the TSX, 73 issues were higher, while 157 issues declined for a 2.15-to-1 ratio to the downside, with traded volume touching at 22.48 million shares.
* Iamgold Corp IMG.TO fell 8.1 percent, the most on the TSX, while the second biggest decliner was Hudbay Minerals HBM.TO , down by 4.7 percent.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Trevali Mining Corp TV.TO , Bombardier Inc BBDb.TO and Aurora Cannabis ACB.TO .
* The TSX posted five new 52-week highs and one new low.
* Across all Canadian issues, there were 13 new 52-week highs and four new lows, with total volume touching 40.23 million shares.