TSX Up Six Straight Days, Canadian Inflation Slows

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks continued to grind higher Thursday, driving Toronto's main index up for a sixth straight session.

Traders weighed data showing Canada's year-over-year headline inflation slowed to 1.2 percent on lower food costs. The core consumer price index, stripping out food and energy, slumped to 1.5 percent growth, compared to estimates of 1.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Canada's retail sales rose for the third consecutive month, rising 1.1% to $45.0 billion in October, thanks to higher sales at gasoline stations and general merchandise stores.

Toronto's S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 29 points to 15,335, moving toward its best levels since mid-2015.

In corporate news, AltaGas Ltd.(ALA.TO) earned regulatory approval to expand its Townsend facility.

Helix Biopharma(HBP.TO) will team with ProMab to develop Cell Based Therapies.

From the telecom sector, the CRTC has ruled high-speed Internet a basic service.