Canadian equities finished the session in positive territory on Tuesday as sector-level strength pushed the benchmark to a fresh one-month high. The S&P/TSX Composite rose 0.66% at the close in Toronto.
Stocks from the information technology, REITs and financials sectors outperformed and were cited as primary contributors to the advance. Across the exchange, advances outnumbered declines, with 640 issues higher versus 344 lower, and 69 that finished unchanged.
On an individual basis, the session's biggest winners included Aya Gold & Silver Inc (TSX:AYA), which jumped 8.27% - an increase of 1.93 points - to finish at 25.26. AbraSilver Resource Corp (TSX:ABRA) added 8.14%, rising 1.22 points to close at 16.20. Bombardier Inc (TSX:BBDb) was also among the top performers, up 8.10% or 20.84 points to end trading at 278.01.
Conversely, several names moved lower. Ero Copper Corp (TSX:ERO) led decliners, falling 6.62% or 2.93 points to close at 41.35. Strathcona Resources Ltd (TSX:SCR) retreated 4.68%, down 1.84 points to 37.49, while Methanex Corporation (TSX:MX) slipped 4.62% or 3.80 points to close at 78.50.
Volatility measures eased on the day. The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, which tracks implied volatility for S&P/TSX Composite options, dropped 4.49% to 17.22.
Commodities showed divergent moves. Gold futures for June delivery climbed 2.04%, gaining 97.22 to trade at 4,864.62 per troy ounce. Oil prices fell: crude for May delivery declined 6.85% or 6.79 to settle at 92.29 a barrel, and the June Brent contract fell 4.22% or 4.19 to 95.17 a barrel.
In currency markets, the Canadian dollar was essentially unchanged versus major peers. CAD/USD showed a negligible move of 0.18% to 0.73, and CAD/EUR was effectively flat with a 0.11% change to 0.62. The US Dollar Index Futures eased 0.28% to 97.89.
Market takeaway
The Toronto market posted broad gains led by technology, REITs and financial firms, pushing the S&P/TSX Composite to its highest close in a month. Notable single-stock moves were mixed, with several miners and energy-related companies among the day's largest losers. Volatility softened while gold rose sharply and oil prices retreated.