Canadian stocks delivered a modest advance at Thursday's close as sector strength in Energy, Healthcare and Information Technology helped push the benchmark index higher.
At the Toronto close, the S&P/TSX Composite was up 0.46%.
Top performers
The session's biggest percentage gainer was Transcontinental Inc (TSX:TCLa), which jumped 8.64% - a rise of 0.45 points - to finish at 5.66. Curaleaf Holdings Inc (TSX:CURA) also posted a strong move, adding 8.04% or 0.25 points to close at 3.36. MDA Ltd (TSX:MDA) advanced 5.11%, up 1.84 points to end the day at 37.85.
Largest decliners
On the downside, Rogers Communications Inc (TSX:RCIb) led losses, falling 7.95% or 4.21 points to close at 48.76. goeasy Ltd (TSX:GSY) slipped 6.66%, a decline of 2.49 points, to 34.87. Air Canada (TSX:AC) was down 5.15%, or 0.97 points, finishing at 17.86.
Market breadth and volatility
Advancers outnumbered decliners on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with 526 stocks higher versus 425 in retreat; 83 issues finished unchanged. The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, which measures implied volatility for options on the S&P/TSX Composite, rose 1.14% to 20.41.
Commodities and energy contracts
In commodities trading, June gold futures moved lower, falling 2.42% or 116.59 to settle at 4,696.51 per troy ounce for the contract month. Crude oil for May delivery climbed 11.54% or 11.55 to finish at 111.67 a barrel, while the June Brent contract increased 7.45% or 7.54 to trade at 108.70 a barrel.
FX and indexes
On foreign-exchange markets, CAD/USD was unchanged at 0.72 with a listed change of 0.30%, and CAD/EUR was unchanged at 0.62 with a listed change of 0.15%. The US Dollar Index Futures rose 0.38% to 99.84.
Takeaway
Thursday's session saw selective strength concentrated in energy, healthcare and IT names, producing a modest lift for the S&P/TSX Composite while volatility edged up and commodities displayed notable directional moves. Market participation favored advancers, though several large-cap stocks recorded sharp declines.