The benchmark index of the Toronto Stock Exchange ended a four-session losing streak Wednesday as resource shares got a boost from strong commodity prices.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 210.22 points, or 1.6%, at 13,377.22.

Five of the 10 main TSX main groups ended higher.

The energy sector rose 4.4% as crude-oil futures gained almost US$3 a barrel after the U.S. government reported that supplies of crude, gasoline and distillates declined last week as refinery activity dropped.

Crude for September delivery rose US$2.99, or 2.7%, to close at US$116 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Crude prices had fallen $7 in the previous three sessions.

In its weekly inventory report, the U.S. Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration said gasoline supplies fell by 6.4 million barrels to 202.8 million barrels for the week ended August 8, nearly three times more than the 2.2 million barrel drop analysts had expected.

In Toronto, Canadian Natural Resources added $5.66, up 7.2%, to $84.54.

The materials sector also propped up the index, rising 6.5%, as gold prices followed oil’s upward momentum. Gold for December delivery gained US$16.90 to close at US$831.50 an ounce on the Nymex.

Agnico-Eagle Mines was up 9.6%, or $4.98, at $56.90.

On the downside, the TSX financial sector sagged 1.7% amid nagging worries over the health of the U.S. economy and the potential for more losses related to the housing crisis.

CIBC shares fell $2.21, or 3.6%, to $59.70, while Bank of Montreal was down $1.42, or 3%, at $46.73.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index gained 20.37 point, or 1.03%, to end at 1,996.89.

The Canadian dollar gained 0.03¢ from Tuesday close to end at US94.12¢.

In New York, U.S. stocks fell as persistent concerns about the credit crisis hurt bank shares while a rebound in oil prices sparked worries about consumer spending.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 109.51 points, or 0.94%, to 11,532.96. The S&P 500 slipped 3.77 points, or 0.29%, to 1,285.82. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index shed 1.99 points, or 0.08%, to 2,428.62.

Retail sales decreased by 0.1% in July, the U.S. Commerce Department said today. It was the first drop in five months.