Canadian equity markets ended the trading day in positive territory on Wednesday, with sector gains led by Healthcare, Telecoms and Clean Technology pushing the S&P/TSX Composite higher.
At the close in Toronto the S&P/TSX Composite was up 0.43%.
The session's leading individual performers included Curaleaf Holdings Inc (TSX:CURA), which surged 25.66% or 1.07 points to finish at 5.24. Rogers Communications Inc (TSX:RCIb) added 13.55% or 6.11 points to close at 51.21. Energy Fuels Inc. (TSX:EFR) also posted a double-digit percentage gain, rising 10.31% or 2.89 points to trade at 30.91 at the close.
On the downside, Altus Group Limited (TSX:AIF) recorded the largest decline among major names, falling 8.57% or 4.26 points to end the session at 45.42. BRP Inc (TSX:DOO) dropped 5.02% or 4.09 points to 77.31, while Thomson Reuters Corp (TSX:TRI) decreased 4.12% or 5.45 points to finish at 126.99.
Market breadth on the Toronto Stock Exchange favored rising stocks, with 637 issues closing higher compared with 335 that declined, and 78 remaining unchanged.
Volatility as measured by the S&P/TSX 60 VIX edged up 0.06% to 17.61, reflecting a small increase in implied volatility for options on the S&P/TSX Composite.
Commodities markets saw notable moves during the session. Gold Futures for June delivery rose 0.80% or 37.71 to settle at 4,757.31 per troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for June delivery climbed 3.28% or 2.94 to reach 92.61 a barrel, while the June Brent contract gained 3.09% or 3.04 to trade at 101.52 a barrel.
In foreign exchange trading, the Canadian dollar was essentially unchanged versus major peers. The CAD/USD pair moved by 0.06% to 0.73, and CAD/EUR was flat around 0.62 with a 0.26% move reported. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.20% at 98.42.
The close reflected selective sector strength amid broader modest gains, with commodities and currency markets also contributing to the session's market tone.