April 24 (Reuters) - Energy stocks pushed Canada's main index higher on Friday, as oil bounced at the end of a torrid week that saw U.S. crude prices fall into negative territory.
* The energy sector .SPTTEN climbed 1.7% as U.S. crude CLc1 prices were up 5.4% a barrel, while Brent crude LCOc1 added 3.3%. O/R
* Still, crude prices are heading for their eighth weekly loss in the last nine. U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell into negative territory, to minus $37.63 a barrel on Monday. O/R
* At current levels, Canada's main index is on pace to end marginally lower, snapping a four-week winning streak.
* At 9:36 a.m. ET (13:36 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 95.08 points, or 0.67%, at 14,346.17.
* The materials sector .GSPTTMT , which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 2% as gold futures GCc1 rose 0.6% to $1,744 an ounce. GOL/ MET/L
* Gold prices were boosted by central bank stimulus measures and investor appetite for a safe haven as fears of the economic damage caused by the novel coronavirus mounted. GOL/
* The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Torex Gold Resources TXG.TO , which jumped 6.6% after BMO began coverage on stock with an "outperform" rating.
* Baytex Energy Co BTE.TO , followed closely behind with a 5.2% rise.
* Also helping the main index was Barrick Gold Corp ABX.TO GOLD.N , which rose 2%. Papua New Guinea's government will take control of the Porgera gold mine after refusing to extend Barrick's lease over the facility, citing environmental concerns On the TSX, 178 issues were higher, while 46 issues declined for a 3.87-to-1 ratio favouring gainers, with 13.70 million shares traded.
* Transcontinental Inc TCLa.TO fell 5.7%, the most on the TSX, while Shawcor Ltd SCL.TO , down 1.7%, was the second biggest decliner.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Osisko Mining Inc OSK.TO and Katanga Mining Ltd KAT.TO .
* The TSX posted six new 52-week highs and no new low.
* Across all Canadian issues there were 10 new 52-week highs and two new lows, with total volume of 31.27 million shares.