Toronto stocks were moderately higher Thursday as stronger gold and oil prices boosted resource shares, but volume was thin with U.S. markets closed for Thanksgiving Day.

At midday, the S&P/TSX composite index was up 36.29 points, or 0.4%, at 9,012.38. Volume was a light 72 million shares.

Seven of the TSX’s 10 main groups advanced.

The materials group was up 0.55%. Alcan shares rose 0.56% to $60.75 after the aluminum giant said it plans to close three European factories, cut 520 jobs and create at least 40 in a restructuring of nine of its sites on the continent.

Gold-mining issues, which are part of the materials group, were up 1.3%, bolstered by a firm bullion price that held above US$450 an ounce.

Bema Gold jumped 6.72%, to $4.29. Barrick Gold climbed 0.97% to $29.25.

Energy stocks rose 0.83%% hike as oil prices edged back up. Canadian Natural Resources was ahead 1.87% at $51.75.

Financials recouped some of Wednesday’s sell-off, climbing 0.42%.

TD Bank was up 0.81%%, at $47.25. Bank of Montreal was up 0.59% at $54.97. Both banks reported fourth quarter earnings this week. The remainder of Canada’s big banks report next week.

Among today’s losers were tech shares, off 0.45%. The consumer discretionary and utilities groups were also lower.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index was up 12.08 points at midday to 1,715.02, on volume of 29 million shares.

The Canadian dollar briefly rose above US85¢ ths morning as its U.S. counterpart continued its descent against world currencies.

However, by noon the loonie had retreated from early morning highs, trading at US84.77 ¢, 0.05 of a cent higher than Wednesday’s close.