Canada's main stock index ended barely lower on Wednesday, weighed by a slump in department store operator Hudson's Bay Co after it reported a deeper-than-expected loss and as energy stocks fell with lower oil prices.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index closed down 6.9 points, or 0.04 per cent, at 15,908.78.

While a marginal slip overall, it was the index's fourth straight fall. Decliners slightly outnumbered advancers, although six of the index's 10 main groups ended higher.

The energy group lost 2.2 per cent, with Encana Corp (ECA.TO) off 4 per cent at $14.70 and Cenovus Energy Inc (CVE.TO) down 3.3 per cent at $11.87, as oil prices settled at a two-week low on a surprise rise in U.S. fuel stock.

Hudson's Bay (HBC.TO) ended down 13.0 per cent at $10.35 after the dismal quarterly performance. The owner of the Saks Fifth Avenue luxury retailer said the loss was due to lower traffic, steep discounts and the effects of the hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

The heavyweight financial group gained 0.2 per cent, industrials rose 0.7 per cent, and consumer staples gained 1 per cent.

Dollarama Inc (DOL.TO) lost 2.1 per cent to $149.73, recovering from steeper losses earlier, as discount store chain's third-quarter profit topping estimates, but comparable store sales missed estimates.