Today in the markets
U.S. stocks were pushed higher Thursday by upbeat jobs and housing reports, which offset concerns about politics, sending the S&P to its highest close since December 2007.
Canadian stocks also rallied amid rising commodity prices and positive economic data. Oil briefly topped $96 in the wake of Algeria attack.
The S&P/TSX Composite rose 65.91 points to 12,674.73, while the TSX Venture Exchange edged up 2.95 points to close at 1,233.15.
Active stocks included Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC, Stock Forum), which fell 4.5% to $11.28. The bank said early Thursday that fourth quarter profit plunged 63% on billions in charges related to a dispute with Fannie Mae.
Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA, Stock Forum), rose 1.24% to $75.26, after rebounding from earlier losses. Boeing’s Dreamliner 787 jets have been grounded after a 787 operated by a Japanese airline was forced to make an emergency landing due to an overheating battery.
In Canada, the base metals sector advanced as March copper on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose five cents to $3.65 U.S. a pound. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (TSX: T.FM, Stock Forum) jumped 0.62% cents to $21.04.
The tech sector gained with CGI Group (TSX: T.GIB.A, Stock Forum) ahead 2.9% to $24.86.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Thursday’s trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report