Toronto stocks were higher Tuesday as the TSX played catch-up with U.S. markets after being closed Monday for Victoria Day.

In late morning trading, the S&P/TSX composite index was up 61.06 points, 0.65%, at 9,513.25.

Seven of the 10 main TSX groups were higher.

The energy group rose 1.84% to lead all sectors as oil prices rose toward US$50 a barrel.

EnCana Corp. shares rose 94¢, or 2.25%, to $42.79, while Canadian Natural Resources was up 50¢, or 1.5%, to $34.15.

The materials group was next in line with a 1.31% gain.

Gold-mining stocks were up 3.11 %, supported by stronger bullion prices.

Barrick Gold shares gained 60¢, or 2.2%, to $27.90, while Placer Dome was up 51¢, or 3%, at $16.42.

The heavily weighted financials group was flat as Canada’s biggest banks get set to deliver their financial results for the second quarter. Bank of Montreal and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will start things off on Wednesday.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index was up less that one point at 1,604.27.

On Wall Street, stocks slipped ahead of the latest word from the Federal Reserve on the strength of the economy and inflation.

Investors hope the release of the Federal Reserve’s May 3 meeting minutes will help shed some light on when the Fed may stop raising interest rates — which stand at 3% — for the short term.

Shortly before midday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 48.47 points, or 0.46%, to 10,475.09.

Broader stock indicators also lost ground. The S&P 500 index was down 3.97, or 0.33%, at 1,189.89, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index shed 2.85, or 0.14%, to 2,053.80.

In other economic news, the U.S. National Association of Realtors reported a 4.5% increase in existing home sales, which rose to an annualized rate 7.18 million homes in April, compared to 6.87 million in March. Analysts had expected a more modest rate of 6.9 million.

Home prices rose 15.1% year-over-year.