Strength in the energy sector helped buoy Canada's main stock index to a flat close on Wednesday while U.S. markets moved lower. 

The S&P/TSX Composite Index closed down less than one point at 19,899.07.

In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 180.65 points at 34,765.74. The S&P 500 Index was down 33.53 points at 4,404.33, while the Nasdaq Composite was down 156.42 points at 13,474.63.

The Canadian dollar traded for 73.98 cents U.S. compared with 74.17 cents U.S. on Tuesday.

The September crude contract was down US$1.61 at US$79.38 per barrel and the September natural gas contract was down seven cents at US$2.59 per mm/BTU.

The December gold contract was down US$6.90 at US$1,928.30 an ounce and the September copper contract was down a penny at US$3.66 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2023.