Precious metal miners boosted by higher gold prices CANADA STOCKS-TSX edges higher as gold prices rise, virus concerns cap gains
July 8 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged higher on Wednesday as shares of precious metal miners were boosted by higher gold prices, but concerns about rising coronavirus cases around the world capped gains.
* The U.S. coronavirus outbreak crossed a grim milestone of over 3 million confirmed cases on Tuesday as more states reported record numbers of new infections, and Florida faced an impending shortage of intensive care unit hospital beds.
* That sparked strong demand for gold, which breached $1,800 an ounce on Wednesday for the first time since 2011.
* The materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, rose 2.2%, the most among the major Canadian sectors trading higher.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were Kinross Gold Corp, B2Gold Corp and Iamgold Corp.