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TSX posts record high as financiers eye soft economic landing

Canada's main stock index increased to a. record high closing level on Thursday, helped by gains for. heavilyweighted financial shares, as investors cheered recent. signs that inflation is cooling and the economy is avoiding a. recession.

The Toronto Stock market's S&P/ TSX composite index. ended up 41.55 points, or 0.2%, at 22,087.26,. squeaking past the previous record closing high of 22,087.22. that was set in March 2022.

The overall information in The United States and Canada reveals that we will. most likely avoid a recession which is what many investors feared. in the bulk of in 2015, said Stan Wong, portfolio. supervisor at Scotia Wealth Management.

More information that supports a soft landing in the economy and. for that reason more certainty of some rate cuts coming from the. reserve banks this year ... that's helping the markets.

Bank of Canada Deputy Guv Toni Gravelle stated February's. inflation figures were really encouraging, adding the main. bank would take a look at a broader set of data before its next. rates of interest statement on April 10.

Cash markets expect both the Bank of Canada and the Federal. Reserve to cut three times by the end of the year.

We are seeing a nice broadening involvement in all types. of sectors, beyond simply technology, in the last three months,. Wong said.

The Toronto market has a heavy concentration in sectors that. are sensitive to the economic outlook, such as resource shares,. that have actually benefited from the current rally in product rates,. as well as industrials and financials.

Financials, which account for 29% of the Toronto market,. increased 0.6%, while real estate and energies, two sectors that. Could especially benefit from lower loaning costs. posted gains.

Shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard were a drag,. falling 4.2% after the multinational operator of benefit. stores missed out on earnings expectations.

(source: Reuters)