Equities in Canada’s largest centre rose on Tuesday, helped by energy stocks tracking a rise in oil prices, while fresh coronavirus-led lockdowns in Europe worried investors about its economic impact.
The TSX began Tuesday up 44.39 points to at 17,572.16.
The Canadian dollar acquired 0.3 cents to 78.54 cents U.S.
Eight Canadian politicians resigned or were demoted on Monday after traveling internationally over the Christmas holidays despite urgings from government officials to avoid non-essential trips during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Crescent Point Energy, which jumped 18 cents, or 5.9%, to $3.21, and Vermilion Energy, which rose 35 cents, or 6.2%, to $6.03.
Silvercorp Metals fell 27 cents, or 3%, to $8.77, while SilverCrest Metals,
down 55 cents, or 3.5%, to $15.22.
TD Securities raised the target price on Marathon Gold to $4.00 from $3.25. Marathon shares gained four cents in the first hour of trade, or 1.4%, to $2.99.
JP Morgan cut the target price on Canacol Energy to $6.00 from $7.00. Canacol shares doffed a penny to $3.71.
TD Securities raises target price on First Quantum Minerals to $31.00 from $26.00. First Quantum shares picked up five cents to $24.86.
On the economic beat, Statistics Canada said its raw materials price index increased 0.6%, mostly because of higher prices for crude energy products and crop products during November, while the agency’s industrial product price index fell 0.6% in the same month, driven mainly by lower prices for lumber and other wood products.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange climbed 6.1 points to 895.14,
The 12 TSX subgroups were evenly split, with energy soaring 3.5%, communications up 0.7%, and consumer discretionary picking up 0.5%.
The half-dozen laggards were weighed most by gold, yesterday’s champion, down 1.2% Tuesday, while materials, which prospered Monday, faded 0.9% Tuesday, and health-care sagged 0.8%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks rose on Tuesday, recovering some of their sharp losses from the previous session, as traders turned their focus to two key elections in Georgia.
The Dow Jones Industrials lost 22.42 points to open Tuesday at 30,201.47.
Monday’s session marked the first negative start to a year for the Dow since 2016. Monday’s was the biggest one-day selloff since Oct. 28 for the Dow and S&P 500, while the NASDAQ had its worst daily performance since Dec. 9.
The S&P 500 gained 4.42 points to 3,705.07.
The NASDAQ regained 61.97 points to 12,760.42.
Boeing popped 2.6% to lead the Dow higher. Chevron climbed 1.7% after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia reportedly reached a deal on an oil production plan. The S&P 500 energy sector advanced 2.9% as West Texas Intermediate futures jumped 4.4%.
Stocks also got a boost after the release of better-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data. The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 60.7 in December from 57.5 in November. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected the index to come in at 57.
Georgia runoff elections will determine whether Republicans can hold on to control in the Senate. Many fear that increased tax rates and more progressive policies could weigh on the market if Democrats gain control of the Senate.
However, such an outcome could create an opportunity for a bigger and faster spending package.
Meanwhile, rising COVID-19 cases globally and new lockdown restrictions continued to keep investors on edge. More than 85 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed globally, including 20.8 million in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
On Monday, England imposed a third coronavirus lockdown as the region grapples with a more transmissible variant of COVID-19. New York State has confirmed its first case of the new strain, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.
Prices for the 10-Year Treasury were slid, raising yields to 0.94% from Monday’s 0.91%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices acquired $2.09 to $49.71 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices grabbed hold off $3.90 to $1,950.50 U.S. an ounce.
