Canadian Stocks Close Higher as S&P/TSX Composite Gains 0.80%

Canadian equities ended Monday’s trading session higher, supported by advances in the Healthcare, Materials, and Information Technology sectors, which helped lift the broader market.

By the close of trading in Toronto, the S&P/TSX Composite index rose 0.80%, reaching a new all-time high.

The strongest performer on the S&P/TSX Composite was Aya Gold & Silver Inc, which surged 12.02%, or 2.57 points, to close at 23.95. Curaleaf Holdings Inc also posted notable gains, rising 8.00%, or 0.28 points, to finish at 3.78. Bitfarms Ltd advanced 7.95%, adding 0.31 points to end the session at 4.21 in late trading.

On the downside, Emera Incorporated was among the weakest performers, falling 2.40%, or 1.63 points, to close at 66.36. Exchange Income Corporation declined 2.22%, losing 1.97 points to end at 86.74, while Gildan Activewear Inc slipped 2.14%, or 1.89 points, to 86.45.

Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with 639 shares rising, 354 falling, and 67 ending the session unchanged.

Shares of Aya Gold & Silver Inc climbed to an all-time high, gaining 12.02%, or 2.57 points, to close at 23.95.

The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, which tracks implied volatility for options on the S&P/TSX Composite, increased 4.54% to 12.66.

In commodities markets, gold futures for February delivery rose 2.28%, or 102.74, to settle at $4,603.64 per troy ounce. Crude oil for March delivery increased 1.15%, or 0.68, to $59.62 per barrel, while Brent crude for March gained 1.03%, or 0.65, to trade at $63.99 per barrel.

In currency markets, the Canadian dollar was unchanged against the U.S. dollar at 0.72, while the exchange rate against the euro remained flat at 0.62.

U.S. Dollar Index futures edged lower by 0.23% to 98.67.