The S&P/TSX Composite Index inched up 0.1% to close at 36,834 on Thursday, buoyed by gains in gold miners, energy producers, and technology stocks. Gold prices firmed as persistent concerns over global debt underpinned demand for the precious metal, supporting the mining sector. Agnico Eagle rose 0.5%, Barrick advanced 0.6%, WPM climbed 1.2%, and Franco-Nevada added 1.4%.
Crude oil prices also moved higher after the US and Iran exchanged accusations following Washington’s pledge to step up economic pressure on Tehran, lifting energy shares. Suncor gained 1%, while Cenovus rose 0.6%.
Strong earnings from Nvidia underpinned the technology sector. Shopify advanced 2.5%, Constellation Software added 1.8%, and Celestica jumped 3.2%.
In the financial sector, renewed inflation worries tied to higher energy costs offset an otherwise solid set of bank results. RBC fell 1.6% and CIBC dropped 2.8%, despite both beating analysts’ estimates. In contrast, TD Bank gained 1.2% after reporting a 38% increase in net income.
