CANADA STOCKS-TSX falters on weak commodities, US jobs data
* TSX drops 129 points, 1.24 percent, to 10,245.91
* Energy sector falls 4.12 percent as oil slides below $67
* Materials group, up 1.93 percent, cushions fall (Adds official closing numbers, details, quote)
By Nina Lex
TORONTO, July 2 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index finished lower on Thursday as oil prices slid and a gloomy U.S. jobs report dimmed hopes for a quick economic recovery.
U.S. employers cut more jobs than expected in June and the unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent, the highest level in 26 years. [ID:nN02549309]
"It is a disappointment for sure," said Steve Ibel, institutional equities trader at Beacon Securities.
The glum jobs picture pressured oil CLc1 prices, which fell below $67 a barrel. [ID:nSYD481718]
The TSX index's energy sector sank 4.12 percent and led the retreat. Suncor Energy (SU.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) was down 6.3 percent at C$33.16, while EnCana (ECA.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) sank 3 percent to C$55.96. Continued...
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