Bay Street stocks limped higher Monday propped up by gains in energy, technology and metals issues. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 9.93 points, or 0.1%, at 8,539.82, on a volume of 228 million shares.

The benchmark index was held back by declines in the heavily weighted financial services group, which slipped 0.6%. Industrial stocks slipped 0.8%.

Oil prices rose after Russia’s YUKOS suspended oil shipments to China. Crude for October delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose US76¢ to US$46.35 a barrel.

As a result, the TSX energy group was up 1.5%.

Encana Corp. was up $1.46, or 2.6%, to $56.97, while Suncor Energy shares rose 3¢ to $38.21.

The diversified metals and mining group was up 1.4%, propelled by gains in Stelco. Stelco shares jumped 13¢, or 12%, to $1.18.

Technology stocks close up 0.4%, after being up 1.5%, earlier in the session. Nortel Networks, the sessions most active traded issue, closed up shares were up 13¢, or 2.9%, to $4.51. The stock was the most active issue during the morning session, on a volume of 9 million shares.

News that Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. is offering $1.4 billion for cellphone rival Microcell Telecommunications, known for its Fido brand, boosted Microcell shares $2.09, or 6%, to $34.95.

Rogers Wireless and parent company Rogers Communications Inc. announced a deal with Microcell early Monday, offering $35 a share. Microcell management had previously dismissed a $1.1 billion bid from Telus Corp. as inadequate.

Rogers Communications shares slipped 35¢, or 1%, to $25.40, while Telus shares slid 8¢, or 0.3%, to $26.90.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index slipped 4.82 points, or 0.3%, to close at 1,528.12.

A grim combination of higher oil prices and lowered outlooks from companies including Colgate-Palmolive Co., Unilever PLC and The New York Times Co. sent stocks sliding Monday. Blue chips bore the brunt of the selling.

At the close, the blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average was down 79.47 points, or 0.8%, at 10,204.89.

Colgate-Palmolive warned that earnings for the second half will disappoint due to marketing spending and raw-material costs. Unilever cut its outlook, blaming bad weather in Europe and tough competition in laundry and hair-care products in Asia.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index slipped 2.02 points to close at 1,908.07. The broader S&P 500 fell 6.35 points, or 0.6%, at 1,122.20.