Canada's main stock index rose on Wednesday, led by gains in health-care stocks and the energy sector, which was supported by higher crude prices.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index saw its gains wither to 3.54 points to greet noon at 15,645.64
The Canadian dollar was static at 75.59 cents U.S.
The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Cronos Group, which soared 3.4% and Colliers International Group, which also rose 3.4% after reporting better-than-expected results.
West Fraser Timber Co fell 5.5% the most on the TSX, after reporting fourth quarter results. The second biggest decliner was Barrick Gold Corp, down 4.2% after posting fourth quarter results.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange crept up 1.77 points to 613.99
All but three of the 12 TSX subgroups were negative midday, as information technology faded 0.8%, while consumer staples and industrials each sank 0.5%.
The three gainers were co-led by energy and health-care, each up 1.6%, while consumer discretionary stocks poked up 0.1%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks rose on Wednesday as investors grew hopeful that Chinese and U.S. trade authorities would reach an agreement before a deadline in early March.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average had gained 74.26, off its highs of the morning, to 25,500.02, as Goldman Sachs and Visa outperformed.
The S&P 500 added 5.54 points to 2,750.19, led by gains in the financials and energy sectors.
The NASDAQ Composite picked up 10.01 points to 7,424.83, as Amazon took on 0.6%, and Alphabet shares climbed 0.7%.
President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he might be open to postpone the current deadline of early March so that both sides can reach a deal.
Prices for the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury lost ground, raising yields to 2.70% from Tuesday’s 2.68%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices gained $1.17 to $54.27 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices eked out gains of $1.90 to $1,315.90 U.S. an ounce.
