The S&P/TSX Composite Index fell from the prior session's record high and closed down on Thursday as weakness in technology stocks offset gains in battery metals and energy shares.
Meanwhile, investors assessed a rebound in oil prices amid renewed concerns over potential supply disruptions in the Middle East.
The index closed down 10.11 points, or 0.03%, at 36,136.31, with mixed sectors. The Battery Metals Index led gainers, up 4.8%, while energy rose 0.62%. Information Technology led decliners, dropping 1.5%.
In commodities, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude rebounded after reports that Iran's parliament was considering legislation to restrict US and Israeli vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, reviving concerns over potential supply disruptions in one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.
September WTI crude oil contract closed up $2.07, or 2.8%, and settled at $77.29 per barrel, while October Brent oil was last seen up $2.99, or 3.8%, at $82.44 per barrel.
Meanwhile, spot gold was last seen down 0.01%, or $0.63, at $4,246.20 per ounce, while December Comex gold futures dropped 0.02%, or $0.80, to $4,304.40 per ounce.
In real estate, Greater Toronto Area's resale housing market tightened in July as new listings fell sharply, which could lead to home price stabilization in the second half of the year, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) said on Thursday.
Market conditions became more competitive for buyers as new listings fell 17.8% year over year to 14,484 in July, while home sales declined just 0.9% to 5,995, TRREB wrote in a note.
Separately, National Bank of Canada Capital Markets said Canada's business investment outlook is improving, with Artificial Intelligence spending emerging as an increasingly important driver of capital spending.
"After a slow start, AI investment finally seems to be taking off in Canada," wrote National Bank Senior Economist Jocelyn Paquet in the note.
In stocks, Bell Canada's parent company BCE (BCE.TO) closed up C$1.01 at C$31.87 after reporting a 3.2% year-over-year increase in adjusted Q2 earnings to C$0.65 per share.
Cascades (CAS.TO) touched a nearly five-year high at C$15.50 per share, after it reported a Q2 earnings beat Thursday morning. Cascades shares closed up 8.6% on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Meanwhile, Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ.TO) closed up 1.6% at C$63.83 after booking Q2 adjusted net earnings of C$2.19 per diluted share from C$0.71 a year earlier.