May 15 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index dropped on Wednesday, as energy shares fell due to a drop in oil prices and weak economic data from China and the United States revived fears of slowing global economic growth.
* At 9:37 a.m. ET (1337 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX Composite index .GSPTSE was down 36.44 points, or 0.22%, at 16,248.09.
* Six of the index's 11 major sectors were lower, led by the energy sector .SPTTEN which dropped 0.9%.
* Oil prices fell after data showed a surprise rise in U.S. crude inventories and the U.S.-Chinese trade dispute threatened demand, although Middle East tensions capped losses. O/R
* U.S. crude CLc1 prices were down 0.8%, while Brent crude LCOc1 lost 0.4%.
* Global financial markets, including Wall Street, fell after two of the world's biggest economies reported weak retail sales and industrial data. MKTS/GLOB .N
* Statistics Canada data showed Canada's annual inflation rate edged up to 2.0% in April from 1.9% in March, driven in part by a carbon levy that pushed up gasoline prices in six provinces. The data weakened the loonies CAD=D4 to a six-day low against its U.S. counterpart, and money markets were factoring in a slightly higher chance of an interest rate cut by year end at more than 40 percent. BOCWATCH
* This pushed the financials sector .SPTTFS 0.4% lower.
* In a bright spot, the materials sector .GSPTTMT , which includes precious and base metals miners, added 0.3% as gold steadied amid retreating global stocks. GOL/
* On the TSX, 84 issues were higher, while 143 issues declined for a 1.70-to-1 ratio to the downside, with 13.75 million shares traded.
* The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Boyd Group Income Fund BYD_u.TO , which jumped 4.4% after reporting quarterly results.
* Energy company Baytex Energy Co BTE.TO fell 4.1%, the most on the TSX.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Aurora Cannabis ACB.TO , Corus Entertainment Inc CJRb.TO and Baytex Energy.
* The TSX posted seven new 52-week highs and three new lows.
* Across all Canadian issues there were 15 new 52-week highs and four new lows, with total volume of 23.27 million shares.