Equities rose on Tuesday as strength in energy and financial shares helped offset sluggish economic data from China.
The S&P/TSX composite index zoomed 109.87 points to greet noon at 15,067.08
The Canadian dollar eked up 0.02 cents to 79.91 cents U.S.
Consumer staples led the pack of gainers, as Alimentation Couche-Tard strengthened $1.54, or 3.1%, to $50.85.
Metals and mining stocks proved the biggest laggards, as Teck Resources backed off 54 cents, or 2.7%, to $19.21.
Financials gained ground as Royal Bank of Canada added 0.4% to $77.03, and Toronto Dominion Bank was up 0.4% at $54.33.
Energy producers climbed with Canadian Natural Resources jumping 1.5% to $37.91, and Suncor Energy gaining 0.5% to $35.93.
A private survey showed that China's factory sector activity fell to its lowest in 11 months in March.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange moved higher 3.46 points to 674.02
All but three of the 14 Toronto subgroups were higher, as consumer staples led the pack, up 2.1%, telecoms beamed higher 1.3%, and consumer discretionary stocks gained 1.2%.
The three laggards were metals and mining, down 1.1%, global base metals, shedding 1%, and gold, off 0.9%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks traded mostly higher following the release of a stronger-than-expected home sales number, amid an in-line inflation report and continued consolidation in currency and energy price movements.
The Dow Jones Industrials crept up 4.21 points to 18,120.25,
The S&P 500 gained 1.40 points to 2,105.82. The NASDAQ index gained 18.53 points to 5,029.50.
Abiomed's miniature blood pump system that maintains heart function and circulation received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Estée Lauder was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo, citing accelerating growth in the United States and growth in emerging markets, as well as working capital improvement.
Kimberly-Clark was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo, noting a "favorable risk/reward compared to the broader staples group for what we see as an under-appreciated emerging markets growth engine."
Ross Stores announced a two-for-one stock split, to be paid in the form of a 100% stock divided on June 11 to holders as of April 22.
General Motors is investing $350 million U.S. to build its next-generation Chevrolet Cruze compact in Mexico, which is part of a previously announced $5-billion U.S. investment plan in the region.
Billionaire Carl Icahn increased his stake in Chesapeake Energy to 73 million shares after the close on Monday, an increase from 66 million shares in December. The oil and gas company lowered its 2015 capital expenditures by $500 million U.S. on low commodity prices.
Economically speaking, February home sales rose 7.8% to 539,000, the highest level in seven years, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% in February, in line with analysts' expectations, the U.S. Labor Department said Tuesday morning; this, after dropping 0.7% the previous month.
Prices for 10-year U.S. Treasuries eased back, raising yields to Monday’s 1.91%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices shed 13 cents to $47.32 U.S.
Gold prices moved higher by a dollar to $1,188.70 U.S.
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