Toronto's main stock index opened higher on Friday even as North American data painted a mixed outlook for economic growth.
The S&P/TSX Composite advanced 59.29 points to begin the day at 11,935.77
The Canadian dollar added 0.13 cents to 98.09 cents U.S. The markets will be closed Monday and Tuesday for Christmas and Boxing Day
Stocks to watch -- on what looks to be a day of light trading -- include Bombardier Inc., whose transportation unit of the company received a $648-million order to supply 90 new electric rail carriages to Deutsche Bahn for service in the Frankfurt area.
Chieftain Metals Inc. said U.S. mining royalty company Royal Gold Inc will pay it up to $60 million for rights to buy a portion of gold and silver to be produced from its mine in British Columbia.
On the economic slate, Canada's economy stalled in October after four consecutive month-on-month increases, a sign the country is feeling the effect of increasing global uncertainty, Statistics Canada data indicated on Friday.
The TSX Venture Exchange garnered 8.37 to 1,452.08, while the Nasdaq Canada index moved upward 0.92 points to 366.74
All but one of the 14 Toronto subgroups moved forward. Information technology surged 0.9%, while consumer discretionaries and energy issues each moved up 0.6%.
The lone naysayer was in the global base metals sector, down 0.2%.
ON WALLSTREET
In New York, stocks opened on the right foot, as investors digest reports on personal spending and income, and await more housing data.
The Dow Jones Industrials gained 34.89 points in the first hour of trading, to 12,204.50
The S&P 500 picked up 2.32 points to 1,256.32, while the Nasdaq Composite marched ahead 6.57 points to 2,606.02
Investors got more good news after Thursday's market close, as House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said that he would accept a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut, a move that ensures taxes will not increase on Jan. 1.
The source of much angst on Capitol Hill in recent weeks, economists viewed the scheduled tax increase as a significant potential drag on the economy in the first quarter of next year.
Economically speaking, U.S. November durable goods orders rose 3.8%, more than the 2% forecast and above October's flat reading.
Both personal income and personal spending rose 0.1% in November. After the opening bell, a report on new home sales will be issued.
The price on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury eased, pushing the yield up to 2.00% from 1.95% Thursday. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil for January delivery gained 36 cents to $99.89 U.S. a barrel.
Gold futures for February delivery fell $2.70 to $1,607.70 U.S. an ounce.
