Equity markets globally have been buffeted in recent weeks by prospects of additional central bank tightening to tackle soaring inflation. "The most interesting element is the extent to which the Bank of Canada seems to be lifting its foot slightly off the brakes in the sense that it is no longer talking about front loading policy," said Eric Lascelles, chief economist for RBC Global Asset Management. Capping gains for the index was a 3.1% drop for the energy sector as oil prices settled down nearly $5 to $81.94 a barrel, trading at their lowest since Russia invaded Ukraine.