Equities in Canada’s greatest market continued to reach for the sun Tuesday, coming back from a long weekend with a vengeance, mostly on the strength of consumer discretionary and health-care issues.
The S&P/TSX Composite triumphed 83.74 points to close Tuesday at 15,922.37
The Canadian dollar fell 0.2 cents to 76.11 cents U.S.
Stock markets in Toronto were closed Monday for Family Day.
Within consumer discretionaries, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers skyrocketed $5.16, or 12.7%, to $45.72.
In the health-care field, medical marijuana concern Canopy Growth Corporation grew 16 cents, or 1.3%, to $12.80, while Valeant Pharmaceuticals took on 58 cents, or 2.8%, to $21.60.
Industrials roared ahead, Air Canada took off 25 cents, or 1.9%, to $13.43, while Bombardier advanced three cents, or 1.2%, to $2.56.
Gold missed the party, as Kinross Gold dropped two cents to $5.04, while Goldcorp moved backward 28 cents, or 1.3%, to $22.48.
On the economic ledger, Statistics Canada reported Monday that wholesale trade rose 0.7% to $57.3 billion in December, a third consecutive gain.
The agency says six of the seven sub-sectors, representing 82% of total wholesale sales, improved, the leaders being the machinery, equipment and supplies sub-sectors, as well as the building material and supplies sub-sector.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 1.04 points to 844.96
All but three of the 12 subgroups were gainers, with consumer discretionary stocks moving up 1.4%, health-care progressing 1.3%, and industrials stronger by 1.2%.
The lone naysayers were gold, down 0.5%, while financials and telecoms each doffed 0.02%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. equities kicked off the week on the right foot, closing at record highs Tuesday following a key naming by the Trump administration and corporate earnings.
The Dow Jones Industrials hiked 118.95 points above Friday’s all-time high to 20,743, with Wal-Mart leading advancers and Caterpillar the biggest decliner.
The S&P 500 jumped 14.22 points to 2,365.38, with real estate leading all 11 sectors higher.
The NASDAQ gained 27.37 points to 5,865.95.
Investors also digested several corporate quarterly results, including retail giants Macy's and Home Depot. Macy's posted mixed results, beating earnings per share estimates but falling short on sales, while Home Depot exceeded Wall Street expectations.
The White House announced Monday that Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster will become the new national security advisor. McMaster replaces Michael Flynn, who resigned last week.
In economic news, the flash read on the IHS Markit U.S. purchasing managers' index hit 54.3 for February, falling slightly from January's 14-month peak.
Prices for the benchmark 10-year Treasury note dropped earlier strength, hoisting yields back to 2.43% from Friday’s 2.42%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices tacked on 66 cents to $54.02 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices faded $1.90 to $1,237.20 U.S. an ounce.
