Toronto equities ended the trading session higher on Thursday, with gains concentrated in Materials, Clean Technology and Financials that pushed the benchmark index into positive territory.
The S&P/TSX Composite closed the day up 0.76%.
Among individual movers, First Majestic Silver Corp. (TSX: AG) posted the largest intraday gain on the index, rising 8.85% - an increase of 1.98 points - to finish at 24.35. DPM Metals Inc (TSX: DPM) added 8.50%, or 3.92 points, to close at 50.04. G Mining Ventures Corp (TSX: GMIN) also recorded a strong session, advancing 8.08% or 3.20 points to end at 42.78.
At the other end of the board, Richelieu Hardware Ltd. (TSX: RCH) led declines, falling 8.91% - a drop of 3.46 points - to close at 35.36. MDA Ltd (TSX: MDA) declined 8.54%, or 4.69 points, to end the day at 50.21. Spartan Delta Corp (TSX: SDE) slipped 4.38%, losing 0.52 points to trade at 11.36 by the close.
Advancers outnumbered decliners on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with 612 issues rising versus 344 falling; 75 stocks finished unchanged.
Volatility on the large-cap Canadian index eased, with the S&P/TSX 60 VIX down 1.94% to 14.69. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures was marginally lower, down 0.04% at 100.71.
In commodities, Gold Futures for August delivery climbed 1.18%, a gain of 48.30, settling at $4,130.70 a troy ounce. Energy markets moved lower: Crude oil for August delivery fell 2.31% or 1.70 to $71.82 a barrel, while the September Brent contract dropped 2.51% or 1.96 to trade at $76.06 a barrel.
Foreign exchange rates were largely unchanged in reported pairs: CAD/USD showed a minimal change of 0.02% to 0.71, and CAD/EUR recorded an unchanged 0.08% to 0.62.
Market context and takeaway
The session reflected a breadth of sector performance where metals and clean-technology related names helped lift the benchmark, even as notable declines in select hardware and aerospace-related stocks exerted downward pressure on specific components of the index. Trading volume and the balance of advancing versus declining issues indicate a broadly constructive tone across the exchange on the day reported.