Sept 26 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index declined for a fourth straight session on Thursday as a drop in oil prices hit energy stocks, denting early optimism over U.S.-China trade talks.
* The energy sector .SPTTEN dropped 0.9%, leading losses on the main TSX index, as oil prices LCOc1 slid on Saudi Arabia's moves to restore output quickly after attacks on its oil installations. O/R
* At 10:10 a.m. ET (14:10 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was down 11.54 points, or 0.07%, at 16,772.75, reflecting declines in Wall Street after fresh developments on the impeachment inquiry of U.S. President Donald Trump. That hit early optimism after Beijing said it was in close communication with the United States and was preparing to make progress with their trade talks in October. Domestic data was upbeat, with Canadian average weekly earnings rising by 2.7% in July after a 2.1% gain in June, while the number of non-farm payroll employees increased by 75,400. However, the downbeat sentiment sent miners lower, with the materials index .GSPTTMT down 0.5% despite rising gold prices. GOL/
* The biggest percentage gainers on the TSX were fashion retailer Aritzia Inc ATZ.TO , which jumped 4.5% and asset management firm Brookfield Infrastructure Partners BIP_u.TO , which rose 3.6%.
* Ballard Power Systems Inc BLDP.TO fell 6.4%, the most on the TSX, and the second biggest decliner was First Quantum Minerals Ltd FM.TO , down 5.4%, after brokerage BMO downgraded the stock to "market perform". The stock took a hit earlier this week after it denied takeover talks.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Bank of Nova Scotia BNS.TO , Mav Beauty Brands Inc MAV.TO and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce CM.TO .
* The TSX posted 17 new 52-week highs and one new low.
* Across all Canadian issues there were 38 new 52-week highs and 11 new lows, with total volume of 47.37 million shares.
* On the TSX, 124 issues were higher, while 98 issues declined for a 1.27-to-1 ratio favoring gainers, with 29.01 million shares traded.