The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index closed up 26.41 points, or 0.17 percent, at 15,300.38. It was the third straight day that the index has ended modestly higher.

Gains for the TSX came as investors on Wall Street turned their focus to earnings season and appeared less worried about the Middle East.

Industrials rose 0.8 percent, including gains for railroad shares. The financials group, which accounts for more than one-third of the weight of the TSX, gained 0.2 percent.

Eight of the index's 10 main groups rose.

The energy group fell 1.7 percent as oil prices declined.

U.S. crude oil futures settled 1.7 percent lower at $66.22 a barrel.

The largest percentage gainer on the TSX was Aphria Inc, which rose 7.4 percent, while the largest decliner was Enerflex Ltd, down 6.9 percent.

The TSX posted four new 52-week highs and four new lows.

(Reporting by Fergal Smith; Editing by James Dalgleish)