TSX gains on surprise trade surplus
- Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was up 16.5 points, or 0.08%, at 20,051.8
- The energy sector dropped 0.7% as US crude prices were down 0.3% a barrel, while Brent crude lost 0.5%.
Canada's main stock index gained on Tuesday lifted by data showing a surprise domestic trade surplus in April, although losses in energy and mining stocks capped gains.
The nation unexpectedly posted a trade surplus of C$594 million ($492.13 million) in April, as a shortage of chips slashed imports and exports of motor vehicles and parts, Statistics Canada data indicated.
After rising as much as 0.2% to touch a record high of 20,075.9 at open, the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was up 16.5 points, or 0.08%, at 20,051.8 by 9:38 a.m. ET (1338 GMT).
The largest percentage gainer on the TSX was cybersecurity firm Blackberry Ltd, which jumped 4%, extending a rally in social-media favorites into a third week along with other "meme stocks".
Its gains were followed by uranium miner Denison Mines Corp, which rose 2.9%.
The energy sector dropped 0.7% as US crude prices were down 0.3% a barrel, while Brent crude lost 0.5%.
The materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, lost 0.4% as gold futures fell 0.2% to $1,893.1 an ounce.
On the TSX, 118 issues were higher, while 100 issues declined for a 1.18-to-1 ratio favoring gainers, with 20.07 million shares traded.
Oil producer Vermilion Energy Inc fell 3.4%, the most on the TSX, and the second biggest decliner was Crescent Point Energy Corp, down 2.5%.
The most heavily traded shares by volume were Hydro One Ltd, BCE Inc and Blackberry Ltd.
The TSX posted 16 new 52-week highs and no new low.
Across all Canadian issues there were 69 new 52-week highs and 12 new lows, with total volume of 32.64 million shares.
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