Equities in Canada’s largest market moved higher in early trade on Monday, boosted by gold miners as bullion prices hit a four-month high and by heavy equipment company Finning International Inc, after CIBC raised its view on the stock.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index took on 31.4 points to start Monday at 16,339.58
The Canadian dollar acquired 0.1 cents to 80.39 cents U.S.
Finning shares picked up $1.53, or 4.6%, to begin the week at $35.08.
National Bank of Canada raised the target price on Medical Facilities to $14.25 from $13.50. Medical Facilities shares perked 16 cents, or 1.2%, to $13.96.
National Bank of Canada raised the rating on Sherritt International to outperform. Sherritt shares gained four cents, or 2.6%, to $1.56.
On the economic beat, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reported national home sales rose 4.5% in December 2017. CREA went on to say actual (not seasonally-adjusted) activity was up 4.1% year-over-year
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 0.1 points to 878.30
Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups grew soon after the opening bell, with health-care springing to life 2.5%, gold and materials each better by 0.9%,
The four laggards were weighed most by consumer staples and consumer discretionaries, each down 0.2%, while real-estate hesitated 0.02%.
ON WALLSTREET
Markets are closed in the United States for Martin Luther King Day.
