Energy sector lifts TSX as U.S. sees mixed performance

TORONTO — The energy sector helped lift Toronto’s main stock index Monday, while those south of the border were mixed.

The S&P/TSX composite index rose 61.02 points to close at 16605.50 with the biggest gains by stocks in the energy sector, which gained 2.86 per cent as the price of oil rose.

The September crude contract gained 72 cents to $41.94 US per barrel.

“You’re seeing oil price strength today on better economic news from China,” said Nela Richardson, principal, investment strategy at Edward Jones.

“It looks like, from the data that we have, that China is on its way to recovering and that’s good news for global oil.”

That, as well as some progress on further COVID-19 stimulus talks in the United States helped boost some indexes in New York.

The Dow Jones industrial average moved up 357.96 points to 27791.44 and the S&P 500 index gained 9.19 points to 3360.47.

U.S. President Donald Trump extended an expired benefit for unemployed workers and other measures through executive orders after talks between the White House and Congress failed to reach a deal on a stimulus package.

“We’re seeing some progress, hopefully,” said Richardson, adding betterthan-expected labour data from Canada and the U.S. late last week continued to help market strength.

Statistics Canada reported Friday that the country’s labour market gained 419,000 jobs last month and the national unemployment rate lowered to 10.9 per cent. The average economist estimate was for a gain of 400,000 jobs and an unemployment rate of 11 per cent, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.

In the U.S., employers added 1.8 million jobs in July and the unemployment rate dropped to 10.2 per cent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics. Investors expected to see nearly 1.6 million jobs added.

“I think there is still that better-thanexpected economic surprise factor that has been fuelling some of the optimism and the momentum in the market,” said Richardson.

The S&P inched toward breaking a record high it set in February. Its 9.19point gain, or 0.27 per cent, Monday put the index less than a per cent away from breaking the record.

“We’re within shouting distance and it wouldn’t be a loud shout,” Richardson said.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq composite retreated 42.63 points to 10968.36.

Part of that came from challenges with technology stocks as tensions grow between America and China, she said.

The Canadian dollar traded for 74.88 cents US compared with 74.76 cents US on Friday.

Elsewhere in commodities, the September natural gas contract fell nearly nine cents to $2.15 US mmBTU. The December gold contract advanced $11.70 US to $2,039.70 US an ounce and the September copper contract added nearly seven cents to $2.86 US a pound.