(Reuters) - Canada's main stock index dipped on Thursday, as conflicting cues on U.S.-China trade discussions dampened sentiment, but gains in shares of energy and cannabis producers kept losses at bay.
* At 9:45 a.m. ET (1445 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX Composite index was down 17.8 points, or 0.1%, at 16,988.02.
* Political tensions between the United States and China after a U.S. bill supporting Hong Kong protests dulled the mood.
* Nine of the index's 11 major sectors were lower with only the energy and healthcare sectors trading in the black.
* Energy stocks climbed 0.6% as oil prices rose following a Reuters report that OPEC and its allies are likely to extend output cuts until mid-2020.
* U.S. crude prices were up 1.2% a barrel, while Brent crude added 0.9%.
* Healthcare stocks jumped nearly 4% as cannabis producers rallied after reports that the U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to legalize cannabis on a federal level in the United States.
* Canopy Growth Co, Aurora Cannabis and Hexo Corp led advancers on the TSX, with gains ranging between 13% and 10%.
* On the TSX, 86 issues were higher, while 139 issues declined for a 1.62-to-1 ratio to the downside, with 22.48 million shares traded.
* OceanaGold Corp (TO:OGC) fell 4.7%, the most on the TSX, followed by Turquoise Hill Resources (TO:TRQ), down 3.4%.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were those of Aurora Cannabis, Green Organic Dutchman (TO:TGOD) and Canopy Growth.
* Nine shares on the TSX posted new 52-week highs and two new lows.
* Across all Canadian issues there were 22 new 52-week highs and four new lows, with total volume of 38.76 million shares.