By Jennifer Kwan
TORONTO, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock market index rose sharply on Monday, starting February on a solid footing as U.S. manufacturing data helped fuel optimism about economic recovery.
Suncor Energy Inc led all heavyweight gainers, climbing 3.2 percent to C$34.84, while Barrick Gold rose 4.5 percent to C$38.80. Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc rose 3.9 percent to C$110.07, and Goldcorp was up 4.1 percent at C$37.71.
The index rose as U.S. factory data provided further evidence of economic recovery. The U.S. manufacturing sector grew more than expected in January, and added to strong factory figures from China, Australia and the euro zone.
'We've got off to a good start on the back of manufacturing report from three major regions that showed the global recovery is pretty well positioned. That's really helped the big turnaround in sentiment today,' said Elvis Picardo, analyst and strategist at Global Securities in Vancouver.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index finished the day up 223.24 points, or 2.01 percent, at 11,317.55, its biggest one-day percentage gain since Dec. 1. All of its 10 main groups were higher.
The manufacturing data helped to lift the price of oil, which rose above $74 a barrel. The price of gold was also higher.
The strength in commodity prices helped to give Toronto stocks a bigger boost than U.S. stocks, which also got a boost from the manufacturing figures and from Exxon Mobil earnings.
Toronto's energy sector climbed 2.5 percent, while its mining-heavy materials group gained 4.85 percent.
The blue chip S&P/TSX 60 index closed 13.06 points, or 2.01 percent, higher at 661.59.
($1=$1.06 Canadian)
(Reporting by Jennifer Kwan; editing by Peter Galloway) ============================================================== FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES IN BRACKETS: TSX market report........................................ Canadian dollar and bonds report................... Top News: Canada .................................... Today in Canada..................................... Canadian company news ................................ Reuters global stocks poll (Canada)... FOR CANADIAN MARKETS DATA, CLICK ON CODES IN BRACKETS: Canadian Equities speed guide...................... S&P/TSX Composite index ............................. S&P/TSE Venture composite index ..................... TSX most active....................................... Venture Exchange most active........................... Top TSX pct gainers................................... Top TSX pct losers.................................... S&P/TSX 60 index ..................................... 52 week highs: TSX............... Venture.............. 52 week lows: TSX............... Venture.............. Canadian dollar quote..................... FOR MAIN GLOBAL MARKET DATA AND MARKET REPORTS: FTSE EUROTOP 300 ..... EUROPEAN REPORT ....... Nikkei 225............. Tokyo report............ FTSE 100............... London report........... Xetra DAX............. Frankfurt market stories CAC-40................. Paris market stories... World Indices..................................... Global markets report............................ Foreign exchange...................................... Oil.................................................... US Treasuries.......................................... International bonds................................... Gold....................................... or CRB index of commodity futures........................ Keywords: MARKETS CANADA STOCKS (jennifer.kwan@thomsonreuters.com; +1 416 941 8178; Reuters Messaging: jennifer.kwan.reuters.net@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
TORONTO, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock market index rose sharply on Monday, starting February on a solid footing as U.S. manufacturing data helped fuel optimism about economic recovery.
Suncor Energy Inc led all heavyweight gainers, climbing 3.2 percent to C$34.84, while Barrick Gold rose 4.5 percent to C$38.80. Potash Corp of Saskatchewan Inc rose 3.9 percent to C$110.07, and Goldcorp was up 4.1 percent at C$37.71.
The index rose as U.S. factory data provided further evidence of economic recovery. The U.S. manufacturing sector grew more than expected in January, and added to strong factory figures from China, Australia and the euro zone.
'We've got off to a good start on the back of manufacturing report from three major regions that showed the global recovery is pretty well positioned. That's really helped the big turnaround in sentiment today,' said Elvis Picardo, analyst and strategist at Global Securities in Vancouver.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index finished the day up 223.24 points, or 2.01 percent, at 11,317.55, its biggest one-day percentage gain since Dec. 1. All of its 10 main groups were higher.
The manufacturing data helped to lift the price of oil, which rose above $74 a barrel. The price of gold was also higher.
The strength in commodity prices helped to give Toronto stocks a bigger boost than U.S. stocks, which also got a boost from the manufacturing figures and from Exxon Mobil earnings.
Toronto's energy sector climbed 2.5 percent, while its mining-heavy materials group gained 4.85 percent.
The blue chip S&P/TSX 60 index closed 13.06 points, or 2.01 percent, higher at 661.59.
($1=$1.06 Canadian)
(Reporting by Jennifer Kwan; editing by Peter Galloway) ============================================================== FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES IN BRACKETS: TSX market report........................................ Canadian dollar and bonds report................... Top News: Canada .................................... Today in Canada..................................... Canadian company news ................................ Reuters global stocks poll (Canada)... FOR CANADIAN MARKETS DATA, CLICK ON CODES IN BRACKETS: Canadian Equities speed guide...................... S&P/TSX Composite index ............................. S&P/TSE Venture composite index ..................... TSX most active....................................... Venture Exchange most active........................... Top TSX pct gainers................................... Top TSX pct losers.................................... S&P/TSX 60 index ..................................... 52 week highs: TSX............... Venture.............. 52 week lows: TSX............... Venture.............. Canadian dollar quote..................... FOR MAIN GLOBAL MARKET DATA AND MARKET REPORTS: FTSE EUROTOP 300 ..... EUROPEAN REPORT ....... Nikkei 225............. Tokyo report............ FTSE 100............... London report........... Xetra DAX............. Frankfurt market stories CAC-40................. Paris market stories... World Indices..................................... Global markets report............................ Foreign exchange...................................... Oil.................................................... US Treasuries.......................................... International bonds................................... Gold....................................... or CRB index of commodity futures........................ Keywords: MARKETS CANADA STOCKS (jennifer.kwan@thomsonreuters.com; +1 416 941 8178; Reuters Messaging: jennifer.kwan.reuters.net@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.