TSX close to two year high as market sentiment firmly risk-on

Investing.com — Canada’s main stock index, the S&P/TSX Composite was up by over 220 points by late afternoon trading on Friday, close to a 2- year high.

The Canadian index received a boost from broad risk-on sentiment following positive economic data in both the U.S. and Canada, and further support from commodities.

Energy stocks most helped boost the TSX today, with crude prices more than 2% higher as markets await an OPEC+ decision on whether supply cuts will be extended.

Wall Street’s main indices also traded higher after the S&P500 and Nasdaq both hit record closing highs yesterday, fuelled by optimism from favourable PCE data - the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation - and U.S. GDP data that came in as expected. Yesterday’s better than expected domestic GDP data also helped boost sentiment in Canada.

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Toronto Stock Market News

AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin (TSX:ATRL)) shares climbed to the top of the TSX as its fourth-quarter results beat estimates, reporting a $90-million profit in the quarter ended Dec. 31 versus a loss of more than $54-million in the same period a year earlier. Revenue meanwhile rose 20% to $2.28 billion from $1.90 billion a year earlier.The engineering firm also announced that it is looking to sell its money-losing joint venture with Hitachi (OTC:HTHIY) Energy.

NexGen Energy (TSX:NXE) shares soared after Canadian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced that Canada will expedite the approval process for new nuclear projects. NexGen has currently been waiting seven years to build the world's largest uranium mine in Saskatchewan.

For all earnings, view our earnings calendar.

Toronto Stocks Moving Markets Today

Top Gainers on the TSX Today:

• AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL)
• NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX:NXE)
• New Gold (TSX:NGD)

Top Losers on the TSX Today:

• Parex Resources (TSX:PXT)
• Badger Infrastructure (TSX:BDGI)
• Stella-Jones (TSX:SJ) Inc

For all Canadian Stocks Moving Markets today, view our Canada Markets Page.

In Canadian Economics

The S&P Global Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to a seasonally adjusted 49.7 in February from 48.3 in January. The PMI has been below 50, the threshold that indicates contraction in the sector, since May.

For all Canadian economic releases, view our economic calendar.

All currencies Canadian Dollar unless noted otherwise.