The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Canada's main stock index ended higher on Thursday as rising metal prices boosted the materials sector, but the market's gains were held in check as investors worried that interest-rate cuts in the U.S. could be delayed. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says the S&P/TSX Composite Index ended up 52.39 points to close at 21,708.44, while the S&P 500 closed lower for a fifth straight session. The decline for the U.S. benchmark stock index came as economic data and comments from Federal Reserve officials suggested the central bank was unlikely to cut interest rates any time soon. The Toronto Stock Exchange snapped its own recent losing streak on Wednesday, but gains were capped by the Canadian government's planned tax increase on investment profits. Canada's plan to raise taxes on the savings of wealthy people and corporations is likely to hold back investment, potentially adding to the productivity malaise that has held back economic growth in recent years, some economists say. Energy was a drag, falling 0.5 per cent, as the price of oil held near its lowest level in three weeks. U.S. crude oil futures settled four U.S. cents higher at $82.73 (U.S.) a barrel.