TSX Closer: The Index Rises as Base Metals, Financials Offset Broad Sector Weakness

The Toronto Stock Exchange rose on Tuesday as gains in base metals and financial stocks offset weakness across most other sectors, while higher gold prices supported sentiment The S&P/TSX Composite Index closed up 67.82 points, or 0.19%, at 35,320.54, despite a majority of sectors ending lower. Base Metals led gainers, up 3.65%, with Financial and Utilities, up 0.71% and 0.24%, respectively. Battery Metals Index led decliners, down 3.35%, while Health Care, down 0.83%, Industrials, down 0.74%, Telecom, down 1.40%, Information and Technology, down 1.78%, and Energy, down 0.92%. In commodities, gold rose off an eight-month low on Tuesday as the US dollar and yields weakened after US consumer prices eased in June, easing concerns rising prices would force higher interest rates. Gold for August delivery was last seen up $57.50, or 1.4%, to $4,063.20 per ounce, after falling to the lowest since Nov. 6 a day earlier. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the Consumer Price Index fell by 0.4% in June, down from a rise of 0.5% in May and against expectations for a fall of 0.2%, according to MarketWatch. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil rose for a second day.