TSX recap: Index closed higher amid gains in technology and financials

 

Canada's main stock index gained almost 150 points on Wednesday, buoyed by strength in the financial and technology sectors despite weakness in energy stocks, while U.S. markets also rose.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 145.06 points, or 0.75 per cent, at 19,588.83.

In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 133.40 points at 33,269.77. The S&P 500 Index was up 28.83 points at 3,852.97, while the Nasdaq Composite was up 71.78 points at 10,458.76.

The Canadian dollar traded for 74.03 cents U.S. compared with 73.22 cents U.S. on Tuesday.

The February crude contract was down US$4.09 at US$72.84 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was up 18 cents at US$4.17 per mmBTU.

The February gold contract was up US$12.90 at US$1,859.00 an ounce and the March copper contract was down three cents at US$3.74 a pound.