Today in the markets
U.S. stocks climbed Tuesday, after House Speaker John Boehner said he remains hopeful that a fiscal cliff compromise can be reached.
Canadian stocks were also up as the price of oil trekked higher and all but one subgroup (metals and mining) finished in positive territory.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 52.99 points to 12,334.34, while the TSX Venture Exchange edged down 5.10 points to close at 1,179.89.
Active stocks included Apple Inc. (NASDAQ, AAPL, Stock Forum), which rose 2.9% to $533.90 after the iPhone maker lost an important ruling when a federal judge denied its request for a permanent ban on 26 Samsung products.
In the wake of the massacre in Newtown, Conn., gun manufacturers continue to trade lower. Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC, Stock Forum) dropped 10% to $7.79, and Sturm Ruger & Co. (NYSE: RGR, Stock Forum) fell nearly 8% to $40.60.
In Canada, shares of EnCana Corp. (TSX: T.ECA, Stock Forum) rose 1.2% to $19.99.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Tuesday’s trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report