Investors in Canadian equities expressed the same sense or relief as their cousins south of the line, as resource issues powered ahead Thursday to begin June.
The TSX gained progressed 100.01 points to close the month’s first session at 19,672.25.
The Canadian dollar gained 0.64 cents to 74.34 cents U.S.
Gold and materials led the parade of winners Thursday, as Eldorado Gold captured 48 cents, or 3.7%, to $13.30, while Iamgold gained 17 cents, or 4.3%, to $3.87. Filo Mining was another star, moving up $1.23, or 5.8%, to $5.67, while Capstone Mining climbed 31 cents, or 5.8%, to $5.67.
In energy plays, MEG Energy perked 74 cents, or 3.6%, to $21.25, while Precision Drilling added two dollars, or 3.5%, to $59.16.
Techs weighed things down, with Descartes sagging $2.35, or 2.2%, to $102.61, while Softchoice shed 32 cents, or 1.8%, to $17.60.
In health-care, Bausch Health Companies lost 13 cents to $11.01, while Bellus Health Care docked 19 cents, or 1%, to $19.65.
Capital Power led the list of losing utility issues, off 82 cents, or 1.8%, to $44.66, while Transalta Renewables settled 22 cents, or 1.7%, to $12.39.
On the economic scene, the S&P Global Canada Manufacturing PMI sank below 50 for the second time in three months, to 49 in May after hitting 50.2 in April. Any reading below 50 indicates contraction in the sector.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange recovered 10.19 points, or 1.7%, to 606.01.
All but three of the 12 TSX subgroups pointed up on the day, led by gold, up 2.2%, materials, stronger by 1.8%, and energy, better by 1.3%.
The three laggards were information technology, down 0.6%, while health-care and utilities each shed 0.2%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks advanced on Thursday after the U.S. House passed a debt ceiling bill in a crucial step to avoid a U.S. default, with the measure now moving it to the Senate.
The Dow Jones Industrials grabbed 154.09 points to conclude Thursday at 33,062.36, despite a nearly 4.7% tumble in Salesforce following its earnings report, which put a clamp on gains.
The much-broader S&P 500 took on 41.19 points, or 1%, to 4,221.02, while the tech-heavy NASDAQ index leaped 165.7 points, or 1.3%, to 13,100.98. Both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ closed at their highest levels since August 2022.
Beyond the debt ceiling battle, investors are looking ahead to the Federal Reserve’s June 13-14 policy meeting as another possible market catalyst. Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker said Wednesday that he’s leaning toward skipping a rate hike at the upcoming gathering.
But Friday’s payrolls report could change his mind, he said.
Data from ADP showing private payrolls grew more than economists expected in May, coming in at 278,000 against a 180,000 consensus estimate from Dow Jones. Meanwhile, the number of jobless claims filed last week was smaller than economists forecasted. Both data points show continued resiliency in the labor market, a closely watched area of the economy given concerns that sustained strength could prompt the Fed, once again to raise interest rates at its policy meeting later this month.
The Fiscal Responsibility Act passed by a vote of 314-117 with bipartisan support. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he hopes “we can move the bill quickly here in the Senate and bring it to the president’s desk as soon as possible.”
Concern over a possible U.S. debt default lingered on Wall Street throughout May — which concluded Wednesday. Last month was also marked by a dramatic rally in artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury gained ground, lowering yields to 3.60% from Wednesday’s 3.64%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices jumped $1.94 to $70.03 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices popped $13.50 to $1,995.60 U.S. an ounce.
