The TSX composite was marginally higher, rising 6.16 points to 12,197.65 in mid-morning trading on Tuesday. The Dow was up 54.53 points to 12,896.61, while NASDAQ eased 1.38 to 2,902.88.
BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE: BHP, Stock Forum) is selling its diamonds business to Toronto-based Harry Winston Diamond Mines Ltd. (TSX: T.HW, Stock Forum) (NYSE: HWD, Stock Forum) for US$500 million in cash.
The price of gold was up US$1.21 to US$1,729.45 an ounce, while silver added US$0.274 to U$32.69 an ounce.