Canada's stock market ended Tuesday's trading session higher, with the S&P/TSX Composite advancing 0.51% to close at a new all-time high. Gains were concentrated in information technology, telecommunications and consumer staples, which collectively pushed the benchmark upward by the close in Toronto.
Top performers
The day's strongest movers on the S&P/TSX Composite included Celestica Inc. (TSX:CLS), which surged 9.49% - a 42.65 point increase - to finish at 492.14. Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU) added 6.45%, rising 182.98 points to end at 3,020.30. Air Canada (TSX:AC) also posted a sizable gain, climbing 6.23% or 1.51 points to close at 25.76; the airline's shares reached 52-week highs during the session.
Largest decliners
On the downside, Hammond Power Solutions Inc (TSX:HPSa) fell 10.56%, a decline of 28.51 points, to close at 241.41. AbraSilver Resource Corp (TSX:ABRA) dropped 6.00% or 0.92 points to finish at 14.41, and 5N Plus Inc. (TSX:VNP) slipped 5.76%, down 1.99 points to 32.53.
Breadth and volatility
Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with 560 shares down versus 433 advancing; 62 stocks finished unchanged. The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, a gauge of implied volatility for S&P/TSX Composite options, decreased 1.97% to 14.42, indicating lower option-implied volatility by the close.
Commodities and currencies
Commodities traded weaker on the session. Gold Futures for August delivery fell 1.22%, a drop of 49.55, to $4,027.45 a troy ounce. Crude oil for September delivery declined 4.29% or 3.54, settling at $79.07 a barrel, while the October Brent contract lost 4.61% or 3.96 to trade at $81.91 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, CAD/USD was unchanged at 0.71, reflecting a 0.11% move, while CAD/EUR was unchanged at 0.62, a 0.05% change as reported. The US Dollar Index Futures was lower by 0.11% at 101.28 at the close.
Market takeaways
The session closed with the TSX at record levels, supported by leadership from IT, telecoms and consumer staples. At the same time, weakness in select names and broader commodity declines contributed to notable downside moves among some energy and materials-related listings. Implied volatility eased as the index advanced.