Markets were in the festive spirit on the penultimate day before Christmas, with all sectors glittering and gleaming.
The TSX Composite pointed higher 164.92 points, to conclude Thursday at 20,765.73.
The Canadian dollar restored 0.5 cents at 75.31 cents U.S.
All the arrows pointed upward Thursday, consumer discretionary leading the way, with BRP Inc. collecting $4.42, or 5%, to $92.63, while Park Lawn Corp. zoomed 55 cents, or 3%, to $19.00.
Among materials, Lithium Americas Argentina Corp. again jumped $8.65, or 7.3%, to $8.65, while Capstone Mining surged 26 cents, or 4%, to $6.69.
Utilities reached for the stars, with Brookfield Infrastructure Partners leaped $1.44, or 3.6%, to $41.68, while Northland Power added 28 cents, or 1.2%, to $23.87.
On the economic calendar, retail sales increased 0.7% to $66.9 billion in October. Sales were up in seven of nine subsectors and were led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
As well, the number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their employer decreased by 44,600 in October, offsetting an increase of 36,200 in September and following little variation in July and August.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange vaulted 12.23 points, or 2.3%, to 551.05.
All 12 subgroups stayed up by the closing bell Thursday, led by consumer discretionary stocks, ahead 1.3%, while materials and utilities each acquired 1.1%
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks rose on Thursday, with the S&P 500 recovering from its worst day since September as the year-end rally resumed.
The blue chips gained 322.35 points to close Thursday at 37,404.35.
The S&P 500 recouped 48.4 points, or 1%, to 4,746.75. At current prices, that places the broader index a little more than 1% from a record.
The S&P 500 advance was broad-based with more than 450 names rising in the broader index. CarMax was the top gainer, up more than 7% after the used vehicle retailer posted third-quarter earnings that topped expectations.
The NASDAQ regained 185.92 points, or 1.3%, to 14,963.87.
Micron Technology was the best performer, jumping 8.6% after the memory chipmaker topped quarterly expectations, and offered current-quarter guidance that exceeded forecasts. Chip stocks rose broadly, with Intel advanced 2.9% and Advanced Micro Devices rose 3.3%.
Salesforce was among the leading advancers in the Dow, rising 2.7% following an upgrade from Morgan Stanley.
From their late October closing lows through Tuesday, the Dow and S&P 500 both jumped more than 15%. The NASDAQ Composite surged roughly 19% over the same period.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury paled, raising yields to 3.89% from Wednesday’s 3.86%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices fell 21 cents to $74.01 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices jumped eight dollars at $2,055.70.