Eight stocks have what is required to join the S&P/TSX composite index and could be added to the key benchmark when Standard & Poor’s announces its quarterly rebalancing of the Canada’s benchmark index after the close on March 11.

Legacy Oil Plus Gas Inc., Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., China Gold International Resources Corp Ltd., Trilogy Energy Corp., Paramount Resources Ltd., Southgobi Resources Ltd., Mercator Minerals Ltd., and North American Palladium Ltd., are the securities most likely to be added to the S&P/TSX composite index, according to UBS strategist Garry Cooper.

Mr. Cooper said all eight companies satisfy criteria such as liquidity and market capitalization needed for inclusion and doesn’t anticipate any members being deleted from the Composite. He also believes there will be no changes in the S&P/TSX 60 index.

If changes are announced March 11, they will become effective on March 18 after market close.