The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Canada's main stock index edged lower on Tuesday, hurt by technology stocks on the year's penultimate session, but the index was still on track to record its best yearly performance since 2009. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says the S&P/TSX Composite Index closed down 30.33 points at 31,866.26. The benchmark is on track to end the year roughly about 29 per cent higher, its best showing since 2009, lifted by heavyweight banking and mining stocks. Meanwhile, Wall Street indexes closed little changed in choppy trading, partially hurt by declines in tech and financial stocks. Toronto's technology subindex tracked the decline, losing 1.4 per cent. Gold and silver gained ground on Tuesday, as safe-haven demand returned due to persistent geopolitical risks following a brief spell of profit-taking. Mining stocks took the cue and were top gainers, with the gold subindex advancing 1 per cent. Market observers say the "Santa Claus rally," where indexes usually gain during the final five trading days of the year and the first two sessions of January, has been muted this year. Nasdaq lost 55.27 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 94.87 points.