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TSX strikes near-two year high on energy, tech boost

Canada's primary stock index climbed to an almost twoyear high level on Friday, boosted by energy and technology stocks, while positive domestic quarterly revenues supplied additional uplift.

At 10:27 a.m. ET (15:27 GMT), the Toronto Stock market's. S&P/ TSX composite index was up 171.23 points, or 0.8%,. at 21,534.84.

Energy shares led the gains on the index with a. 2.1% rise after oil rates increased nearly 2% as markets waited for an. OPEC+ decision on supply arrangements for the 2nd quarter.

The sector is on its course to become the best performer of. the week, if gains hold.

It's a little a continuation from the action that we saw. yesterday for the week. We had favorable responses out of energy. Canadian National Resources obviously had good numbers the other day. and that drove the energy stocks up sharply, stated Mike. Archibald, vice president and portfolio manager at AGF. Investments.

Favorable U.S. inflation information and domestic gross domestic. product (GDP) information on Thursday restored some hopes of an interest. cut by the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada in the early. half of the year.

Rate-sensitive infotech and product. stocks acquired 1.2% each.

Industrials were pulled up 0.5% after. building and construction and engineering company AtkinsRéalis (previously. SNC-Lavalin) climbed 9.0% as its fourth-quarter. results beat estimates.

On the other hand, Canadian production activity moved more detailed to. supporting in February, data showed on Friday.

Investors will now focus on the Bank of Canada's next. monetary policy choice due on March 6.

Central banks have actually now pushed out the expectation for rate. cuts into the end of the 2nd quarter. So this idea that rates. are going to stay greater for longer is most likely intact,. Archibald added.

(source: Reuters)