TSX snaps losing streak, led by tech and mining shares
By Fergal Smith
(Reuters) -Canada's main stock index rose on Monday, snapping a four-day losing streak, as technology and mining shares benefited from a pickup in investor sentiment ahead of U.S. inflation data this week.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended up 108.11 points, or 0.5%, at 20,182.76.
"It looks like a risk-on day when you see tech rallying, you see some of the base metals moving and the Canadian dollar is rallying as well," said Philip Petursson, chief investment strategist at IG Wealth Management.
The Canadian dollar extended its recovery from a five-month low as an increase in risk appetite weighed on the safe-haven U.S. dollar.
Wall Street also notched gains as investors awaited U.S. inflation data on Wednesday.
"The inflation data later this week out of the United States will probably bring a bit of a dampener on the rally," Petursson said. "I expect inflation to move higher on a year-over-year basis and that might just reignite thoughts that the Fed isn't done (raising interest rates)."
Money markets expect the Federal Reserve to leave its policy rate on hold at a policy decision later this month but the following meeting in November is seen as a closer call.
The Toronto market's technology sector rallied 1.6%, helped by a gain of 14% for BlackBerry Ltd, recouping much of last week's sharp decline.
Heavily weighted financials also advanced, rising 1%, and the materials group, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 1.2% as copper prices jumped.
Energy was a laggard, falling 1.9%, as the recent rally in oil lost some momentum. Oil settled down 0.3% at $87.29 a barrel.
(Reporting by Fergal Smith in Toronto and Khushi Singh; Editing by Tasim Zahid and Sandra Maler)