The S&P/TSX Composite Index ended Thursday's trading session with a 0.46% increase, closing higher on the back of robust activity in the Materials, Healthcare, and Telecom sectors. This upward movement reflected investor enthusiasm particularly in certain precious metals miners and healthcare companies within the Canadian stock market.
Leading the index’s gainers was Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX:SEA), whose shares climbed by 12.62%, adding 5.71 points to finish at 50.97, marking a five-year high for the stock. Likewise, Discovery Silver Corp (TSX:DSV) experienced a substantial rise of 12.21%, or 1.19 points, settling at 10.94 — also reaching a five-year peak. New Gold Inc (TSX:NGD) recorded an 11.98% gain, or 1.86 points, ending at 17.39 and achieving an all-time high price.
Conversely, some notable declines were observed among key resource companies. Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN) decreased by 10.91%, shedding 4.00 points to close at 32.67. Celestica Inc. (TSX:CLS) ended 6.55% lower at 400.29, down by 28.06 points, and First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (TSX:FM) fell 6.02%, dropping 2.48 points to 38.75.
Market breadth on the Toronto Stock Exchange favored advancing stocks, with 589 securities closing higher compared to 392 that declined, while 70 remained unchanged.
The volatility index for the S&P/TSX 60, a gauge of expected market fluctuations, decreased by 3.42% to 15.23, suggesting a modest reduction in option premiums and implied risk.
Commodity markets exhibited divergent trends: gold futures for February delivery strengthened by 1.88%, or $91.01, reaching $4,928.51 per troy ounce. In contrast, March crude oil contracts declined; West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped 1.93% to $59.45 per barrel, and Brent crude fell 1.64% to $64.17 per barrel.
Currency trading remained relatively stable with the Canadian dollar holding steady against the U.S. dollar and the euro, reflecting minimal fluctuation at 0.73 and 0.62 respectively.