As if to prove Monday’s gains constituted no fluke, equities in Toronto displayed even greater muscle Tuesday, with impressive gains shown by energy and health stocks.
The TSX leaped 154.74 points to end Tuesday at 17,682.51.
The Canadian dollar acquired 0.64 cents to 78.88 cents U.S.
Energy stocks were far and away the stars of the show, with Crescent Point Energy climbing 32 cents, or 10.6%, to $3.35, while Vermilion Energy hiking 53 cents, or 9.3%, to $6.21.
In health-care, Canopy Growth soared 90 cents, or 2.7%, to $34.31, while Aphria picked up 24 cents, or 2.6%, to $9.55.
Among consumer discretionary stocks, Magna International jumped $3.10, or 3.8%, to $92.45, while Sleep Country Canada rose from slumber $1.16, or 4.5%, to $26.87.
On the downside, though, gold dulled in price, as New Gold backed off from incredible levels from Monday, sliding 12 cents, or 4%, to $2.87, while Iamgold let go of 21 cents, or 4.2%, to $4.81.
In materials, SilverCrest Metals docked 85 cents, or 4.4%, to $14.92, while Pretium Resources lost 26 cents, or 1.7%, to $15.32.
In consumer staples, Maple Leaf Foods doffed 60 cents, or 2.1%, to $27.62, while Primo Water stepped back 61 cents, or 2.9%, to $20.29.
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.
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.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange charged ahead 10.81 points, or 1.2%, to 899.85
Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups finished the session ahead, with energy rocketing 7.6%, health-care haler by 1.3%, and consumer discretionary stocks gaining 0.6%.
The fout laggards were weighed most by gold, yesterday’s champion, down 1.4% Tuesday, while materials, which prospered Monday, faded 0.8% Tuesday, and consumer staples, dwindling 0.2%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks rose on Tuesday, recovering some of their sharp losses from the previous session, as traders made bets for a strong global economic recovery.
The Dow Jones Industrials rocketed 167.71 points to wind up Tuesday’s session at 30,391.60.
The S&P 500 gained 26.21 points to 3,726.86.
The NASDAQ jumped 120.51 points, or 1%, to 12,818.96.
Energy stocks advanced about 3% after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia reportedly reached a deal on an oil production plan. Chevron traded higher by more than 1%. The news also sent U.S. oil futures up about 5% to break above $50 per barrel for the first time since February.
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.
Boeing was the best-performing stock in the Dow, gaining 4.4%. Energy stocks advanced 4.5% — their biggest one-day jump since Dec. 4 — after Saudi Arabia agreed to voluntary production cuts in February and March. Chevron rose 2.7%. The news also sent U.S. oil futures up 4.9% to briefly break above $50 per barrel for the first time since February.
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.
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 slid, boosting yields to 0.95% from Monday’s 0.91%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices acquired $2.36 to $49.98 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices hiked $5.20 to $1,951.80 U.S. an ounce.
