TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index exhibited a positive trend in late-morning trading, reflecting a gain of nearly 150 points. This uptick was primarily driven by robust performances in the industrial and financial sectors. Concurrently, stock markets in the United States also experienced upward movements.

The S&P/TSX composite index rose by 147.68 points, bringing its total to 33,064.15. This increase signifies a notable recovery and reflects investor confidence in the Canadian market's stability and growth potential.

In the United States, the stock market mirrored the optimism seen in Canada. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed by 383.64 points, reaching 49,533.27. Additionally, the S&P 500 index gained 48.41 points, reaching a level of 6,975.01. The Nasdaq composite, known for its technology-heavy listings, also saw a significant rise of 226.24 points, settling at 23,697.99.

However, despite the encouraging performance of the stock indices, the Canadian dollar showed slight depreciation against its U.S. counterpart. The currency traded at 71.98 cents per U.S. dollar, a decrease from 72.06 cents U.S. reported on Wednesday.

On the commodities front, there were declines in both crude oil and gold prices. The March crude oil contract fell by US$2.65, bringing the price down to US$59.23 per barrel. Similarly, the February gold contract saw a reduction of US$15.80, settling at US$4,619.90 an ounce. These shifts in commodity prices may reflect broader market trends and changing dynamics in global supply and demand.

This financial update highlights significant movements in the Canadian and U.S. stock markets, underscoring the interplay between various sectors and commodities. Investors and market watchers continue to analyze these trends for potential implications on future economic conditions.