The TSX continued to gain, albeit modestly, drawing support from the health-care and base metal groups. But sharp losses in the metals and mining sector remained a constraint.
The S&P/TSX composite index gained 12.90 points to close Tuesday at 15,121.02
The Canadian dollar dropped 0.48 cents to 81.76 cents U.S.
Markets in Canada were closed Monday for Victoria Day.
Global base metals proved the biggest winner, as Altius Minerals climbed 70 cents, or 5%, to $14.70.
Health-care stocks such Valeant Pharmaceuticals reached $278.12, gaining $8.10, or 3%.
Among financials Genworth MI Canada gained 76 cents, or 2.2%, to $35.08, while in the tech sector, CGI Group triumphed $2.02, or 3.8%, to $55.23.
On the opposite side, metals and mining stocks plummeted, anchored by First Quantum Minerals, which sank $1.19, or 6.4%, to $17.45.
Energy plunged, as Penn West Petroleum, which tumbled 23 cents, or 9.1%, to $2.31.
Alterra Power was the most heavily traded stock., sliding half a cent, or 1.3%, to 38 cents, on 3.3 million shares.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange slid 0.32 points to 694.99
Nine of the 14 Toronto subgroups were lower on the day, primarily metals and mining, which gave up 2.6%, gold, duller by 1.9%, and energy, 1.4% less energetic.
The five gainers were led by global base metals, streaking ahead 5.3%, health-care, 2.6% more robust, and information technology, better by 1.3%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks closed mixed on Tuesday as investors eyed renewed gains in yields and the dollar ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting minutes.
The Dow Jones Industrials gained 13.51 points to 18,312.39, with with McDonald's leading gains and Wal-Mart the greatest laggard.
The S&P 500 index dipped 1.70 points to 2,127.50, with financials and health care leading three sectors higher and energy leading decliners.
The NASDAQ fell 9.71 points to 5,068.73
Major earnings on Tuesday include Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, TJX Companies and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers before market open. Autodesk is due after the bell.
In a quiet day of trade, financials and health care led gains across the major indices. KRE, the S&P's regional banking ETF, closed up 1.1%
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and other financial blue chips advanced, outweighing the drag from Wal-Mart and Chevron.
Wal-Mart traded more than 4.5% lower as the greatest blue chip decliner. The retailer reported earnings of an adjusted $1.03 per share for the first quarter, one cent below estimates, with revenue also below forecasts.
Comparable-store sales also registered a lower-than-expected increase for the quarter. Stocks tried to hold mild gains after the morning's better-than-expected housing data.
Home Depot reported adjusted quarterly profit of $1.16 U.S. per share, one cent above estimates, with revenue also above forecasts.
Same-store sales were also better than expected, and Home Depot raised its full-year earnings and sales forecasts.
Dick's Sporting Goods beat estimates by four cents with quarterly profit of 57 cents U.S. per share, with revenue essentially in line.
However, its comparable-store sales increase of 1 percent was shy of the 1.5% consensus. The company also raised the low end of its full-year earnings guidance.
TJX Cos., the owner of off-price chains TJ Maxx and Marshalls, reported a 5.8% rise in quarterly sales as more customers visited its stores and the company expanded its offerings.
Investors also cheered better-than-expected housing data, which showed April's housing starts totaled 1.135 million in April, above the 1.020 million estimate. The beat follows weak readings of little above 900,000 in February and March.
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee is expected to release the minutes of its April meeting on Wednesday, while several policymakers, including Janet Yellen, are scheduled to speak later in the week.
Prices for 10-year U.S. Treasuries dropped sharply, lifting yields to 2.29% from Monday’s 2.22%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices surrendered $2.17 a barrel to $57.26 U.S.
Gold prices fell $19.70 to $1,207.90 U.S. an ounce.
