Canada's main stock index ended higher on Thursday, led by gains for metal mining shares, but the move was limited as investors awaited employment data both sides of the border and braced for a potentially more volatile year for financial markets.

Stocks logged small gains Wednesday on two major indexes, despite uninspiring economic reports and some ominous words from the president-elect. The S&P 500 finished the day up 0.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.

U.S. stock indexes held firmer and finished mixed a day after strong reports on the economy stirred up worries that inflation and interest rates may remain higher than expected. The