Equities in Canada’s largest market hit a five-month high on Tuesday as energy shares gained on higher oil prices and materials companies got a boost from an uptick in gold prices.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index held onto 30.42 points worth of gains, to close Tuesday at 16,136.66
The Canadian dollar added 0.22 cents at 74.87 cents U.S.
The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Eldorado Gold, which jumped 39 cents, or 6.6%, to $6.32, and Peyto Exploration and Development, which rose 12 cents, or 1.7%, to $7.33.
In the materials sector, Agnico Eagle Mines climbed $1.18, or 2%, to $59.27, while First Quantum Minerals leaped 27 cents, or 1.9%, to $14.71.
In the health-care sub-group, Bausch Health Companies tallied 34 cents, or 1.1%, to $31.75, while Canopy Growth headed north $1.21, or 2%, to $62.69.
Among industrials, Bombardier ducked below three cents, or 1.1%, to $2.82, while Air Canada was grounded $1.25, or 3.8%, to $32.11.
In the consumer discretionary sector, Gildan Activewear fell 26 cents, or $47.23, while Magna International lost 71 cents, or 1.1%, to $66.91.
Empire Company fell $1.19, or 4%, to $28.29, after Desjardins cut its price target on the stock. Elsewhere, Saputo gave back a dime to $44.57.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange nosed ahead 1.38 points to 620.93
Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups remained higher, as gold heightened 1.7%, materials were stronger by 1.1%, and health-care gained 1%
The four laggards were weighed most by industrials and consumer discretionary stocks, each down 0.8%, while consumer staples shed 0.3%.
ON WALLSTREET
Blue-chip stocks fell on Tuesday, as shares of Boeing continued to struggle.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average toppled 96.22 points to finish Tuesday’s trading at 25,554.66, with Boeing shaving off more than 150 points.
The S&P 500 stayed afloat 8.22 points to 2,791.52, led by gains in the energy and communications services sectors.
The NASDAQ Composite gathered 32.97 points to 7,591.03.
Boeing shares fell more than 6%, eclipsing the 5.3% decline from Monday's session. Boeing fell after several countries, including the U.K., China and Indonesia, grounded all flights involving the 737 MAX model.
The plain has been involved in two deadly crashes in less than six months, including one on Sunday. Edward Jones also downgraded the stock to hold from buy, citing a possible "delay in orders" after the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday.
The U.S. consumer price index rose 0.2% in February, matching expectations. The so-called core CPI, which strips out food and energy, fell short of estimates by gaining just 0.1%.
British Prime Minister Theresa May got legally binding assurances from the European Union Monday night over the most contentious part of the Brexit deal, the Irish backstop.
However, on Tuesday, the deal with the E.U. was rejected by U.K. lawmakers in another landmark defeat for May.
The deal was defeated for the first time back in January but she had hoped last-ditch tweaks to the deal, specifically on the contentious Irish border issue, would help persuade Members of Parliament to change their minds
Prices for the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury made slight headway, lowering yields to 2.6% from Monday’s 2.64%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices took on 11 cents to $56.90 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices gained $11.00 to $1,302.10 U.S. an ounce.
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