Canada’s main stock index touched a record high on Thursday, supported by healthcare and energy shares, while investors evaluated U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s recent tariff pledges.
The TSX gained 55.22 points, to conclude Thursday at 25,543.52
The Canadian dollar was up 0.07 cents to 71.36 cents U.S.
Ahead of the Bank of Canada’s rate-setting meeting on Dec. 11, on Friday investors will take note of a reading from third-quarter annualized gross domestic product data, which is expected to miss the central bank’s estimate.
Traders widely expect a 25-basis-point interest rate cut next month. The central bank has already cut its key interest rate four times in a row this year to spur growth.
In corporate news, technologies supplier for diecasting, extrusion and automotive industries Exco Technologies missed fourth-quarter sales. Exco shares closed Thursday off one cent to $1.73.
Rogers Sugar shares rose 30 cents, or 5.3%, to $5.97 after the sugar products provider reported upbeat fourth-quarter results.
Health-care led the brigade of winners, as Bausch Health Companies surged 49 cents, or 4.3%, to $11.88, while Tilray took on a penny to $1.93.
In industrials, ATS Corp. leaped $1.57, or 3.6%, to $45.09, while TFI International popped $3.55, or 1.7%, to $210.32.
In energy stocks, CES Energy Solutions grabbed 16 cents, or 1.7%, to $9.65, while Arc Resources triumphed 25 cents, or 1%, to $25.76.
The lone nay-sayer was financials, as Great West Lifeco sagged 52 cents, or 1%, to $50.27, while Brookfield Corp. ditched 69 cents to finish the session at $85.40.
On matters macroeconomic, Statistics Canada says payroll numbers fell by 57,400 (-0.3%) in September, following little change in August and an increase of 39,500 (+0.2%) in July. On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment was up 94,900 (+0.5%) in September.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange slid into the red 0.22 points to 607.69.
All but one of the 12 TSX subgroups were in the green, led by health-care, better by 1.3%, while industrials improved 0.6%, and energy, up 0.5%.
Only financials were in the red, and only 0.02% at that.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange climbed 8.13 points, or 1.4%, to end Wednesday 607.91.
Oil prices docked two cents to $68.70 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices gained $1.10 to $2,641.00 U.S. an ounce.
ON WALLSTREET
American markets are closed for Thanksgiving, but will return Friday for a partial session.
