TSX falls 0.22 percent, financials weigh

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX fell 32.71 points, or 0.22 percent, to 14,750.35. Leading the index were Empire Company Ltd , up 10.7 percent, AltaGas Ltd , up 9.7 percent, and Baytex Energy Corp , higher by 8.4 percent. Lagging shares were Aphria Inc , down 9.5 percent, Birchcliff Energy Ltd, down 6.7 percent, and Aurora Cannabis Inc, lower by 6.6 percent. On the TSX 109 issues rose and 132 fell as a 0.8-to-1 ratio favored decliners. There were 4 new highs and 22 new lows, with total volume of 264.3 million shares. The most heavily traded shares by volume were Bombardier Inc , Aurora Cannabis Inc and Aphria Inc. The TSX's energy group fell 0.15 points, or 0.10 percent, while the financials sector slipped 1.08 points, or 0.39 percent. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 3.71 percent, or $1.9, to $53.05 a barrel. Brent crude rose 2.83 percent, or $1.7, to $61.85 [O/R] The TSX is off 9 percent for the year. (Reporting by Noel Randewich)