Canadian Stock Index Soars on Base Metal Gains

Canada's main stock index, the S&P/TSX composite, was up nearly 200 points in late-morning trading on August 19th. The gains were largely due to an increase in the base metal sector, which helped Toronto regain some of its lost ground from the previous day.

The S&P/TSX composite index rose by 177.02 points to 36,544.95. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 239.03 points at 53,582.43. The S&P 500 index and Nasdaq composite were also higher, rising 42.22 points and 118.86 points respectively.

The Canadian dollar traded for 72.36 cents US compared to 72.00 cents US on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the October crude oil contract was up US$1.09 at US$85.15 per barrel, while the December gold contract rose by US$120.30 to US$4,540.90 an ounce.