Shopify, Well Health Among Big Stars
The S&P/TSX Composite Index hiked 109.39 points to end Tuesday at 22,087.22.
The Canadian dollar gained 0.16 cents to 80.02 cents U.S.
Toronto-listed technology shares rose, with Shopify popping $63.25, or 7.2%, to $941.92. Quarterhill acquired 16 cents, or 7%, to $2.45.
Among health-care concerns, Well Health Technologies picked up 36 cents, or 7.9%, to $4.94, while Tilray advanced 39 cents, or 3.9%, to $10.39.
In the consumer discretionary field, BRP climbed $5.14, or 5.3%, to $102.46, while Magna International sprinted $3.46, or 4.3%, to $83.28.
Materials sagged, with Capstone Mining slid 25 cents, or 3.4%, to $7.02, while Nutrien tumbled $6.56, or 4.9%, to $127.00
Energy continued to take a pounding, as Parex Resources dived 88 cents, or 3.2%, to $26.68, while Freehold Royalties slumbered 43 cents, or 2.8%, to $14.95.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and concerns around soaring inflation have roiled global markets in recent months, still, the TSX is set to post its biggest monthly gain since October on surging commodity prices.
Russia has decided to drastically cut military activity around Kyiv and Chernihiv in Ukraine, its deputy defence minister said, after talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams in Istanbul.
Statistics Canada said the number of employees receiving pay or benefits from their employer—measured by the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours as payroll employment—was little changed in January.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange inched ahead 0.4 points to 878.19.
All but three of the 12 TSX subgroups were positive, with information technology pumping higher 1.6%, consumer discretionary stocks climbing 2.5%, and health-care haler 1.8%.
The three laggards proved to be energy, sliding 2%, materials, off 1.3%, and gold, dulling 0.5%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks rose on Tuesday, extending Wall Street’s winning streak as traders monitored ceasefire negotiations in Europe and key levels in the bond market.
The Dow Jones Industrials rocketed 338.3 points, or 1%, to close Tuesday at 35,294.19
The S&P 500 gained 56.08 points, or 1.2%, to 4,631.60. The Dow and S&P 500 have advanced in four straight trading sessions.
The NASDAQ Composite popped 264.73 points, or 1.8%, to 14,619.64.
Auto stocks were some of the biggest gainers, with Ford rising 6.5% and GM gaining more than 4%. Travel stocks outperformed as well, with Caesar’s Entertainment surging 5.6% and American Airlines adding 5%.
In tech, Netflix climbed more than 3% and Snap jumped 4.5%. Shares of Moderna rose 4.4% after U.S. regulators approved an additional COVID booster for people aged 50 and over.
In corporate news, shares of FedEx rose more than 3% after the company announced that founder Fred Smith would step down as CEO on June 1 and be replaced internally.
Health care giant UnitedHealth Group announced a deal to buy LHC Group for $170 per share, sending the smaller company’s stock up 7%.
The conference board’s consumer confidence index came in at 107.2, below the 107.5 expected, according to Dow Jones. The U.S. Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed 11.3 million job openings, higher than the 11.1 million expected.
Growing hope for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire appeared to help investor sentiment on Tuesday morning. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said Tuesday that the country will “drastically” reduce military activity near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the U.S. was focused on Russia’s actions more than its words.
Treasury prices strengthened, lowering yields to 2.39% from Monday’s 2.46%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices slipped 93 cents to $105.03 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices faltered $20.60 to $1,924.10 U.S. an ounce.