TORONTO, Feb 29 (Reuters) – The Canadian dollar rose
to its highest level in more than five months against the U.S.
currency on Wednesday, boosted by a massive euro-zone liquidity
injection by the European Central Bank and favorable month-end
purchases by institutional investors.

Around 800 banks took 530 billion euros ($708.98 billion) at
the ECB’s second offering of three-year funding, essentially in
line with market expectations, driving demand for higher
yielding currencies at the expense of the euro.

TORONTO, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Toronto’ main stock index
was higher at midday on Tuesday as resource issues rose on
higher metals and oil prices, shrugging off disappointing U.S.
economic data and some soft earnings.

The index’s heavily weighted materials group led gains,
rising 1 percent as mining issues benefited from higher gold,
silver and copper prices.

TORONTO, Feb 27 (Reuters) – The Canadian dollar edged
higher against its U.S. counterpart on Monday, helped by data
showing an improvement in the U.S. housing market, which fueled
hopes of stronger growth by Canada’s largest trading partner.

U.S. pending home sales in January hit a near two-year high,
defying economists’ expectations of a contraction and supporting
recent signs the U.S. housing market is improving.

TORONTO, Feb 27 (Reuters) – Canada’s resource heavy
index was lower on Monday morning as energy and mining issues
fell with sliding oil, gold and copper prices and financial
shares were hurt by the failure of G20 ministers at a weekend
meeting to provide more funds to help Europe fight its lingering
debt crisis.

Brent crude oil backed off Friday’s 10-month high and gold
prices slipped, hurting the index’s materials and energy
sectors, as investors cashed in some gains after last week’s
strong rally.

TORONTO, Feb 24 (Reuters) – A three-day rally by
Canadian stocks fizzled on Friday as a pullback in bullion
prices knocked gold miners lower, offsetting a boost from rising
oil prices and optimism over a further easing of the European
debt crisis.

While Toronto’s main stock index ended slightly lower on the
day, it still notched its best weekly gain this year, rising
more than 2 percent on the strength of a long-awaited Greek debt
swap deal and further signs of U.S. economic health.

TORONTO, Feb 24 (Reuters) – Toronto’s main stock index
edged closer to a six-month high at midday on Friday as higher
oil prices boosted oil and gas issues, but gains were limited by
a slump in gold miners and soft U.S. housing data.

Most of the index’s 10 main sectors rose on Friday, led by
oil and gas producers, which climbed 0.3 percent as Brent crude
rose towards $124 a barrel on concern over cuts in Iranian oil
supply. Brent has risen more than 11 percent so far this month.

TORONTO, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Canadian stocks ended at
their highest level in nearly six months on Thursday
as oil and gas shares jumped on surging oil prices and as
encouraging U.S. jobs data offset a pessimistic outlook for the
euro zone economy.

Most of the index’s 10 main sectors were higher, led by a 1
percent jump in oil and gas shares after Brent oil priced in
euros hit a record high on Thursday on heightened tension
between Iran and the West.

TORONTO, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Toronto’s main stock index
was slightly higher at midday on Thursday as strong bullion
prices lifted gold miners and encouraging U.S. jobs data offset
forecasts showing the euro zone economy will shrink this year.

Most of the index’s top 10 main sectors were higher, led by
the gold-miner-heavy materials group, which rose 0.5 percent as
bullion traded near $1,800 an ounce.

TORONTO, Feb 22 (Reuters) – Canadian stocks rose to a
five-month high on Wednesday as gold-mining issues surged 2
percent on higher bullion prices and strong U.S. housing data.

Bullion hit a three-month high as technical buying helped
the precious metal surpass a key resistance level near $1,765 an
ounce.

TORONTO, Feb 22 (Reuters) – Toronto’s main stock index
extended gains on Wednesday afternoon after hitting a five-month
high in the previous session, as gold mining issues were boosted
by higher bullion prices and strong U.S. housing data.

Gold shares surged nearly 2 percent after bullion hit a
three-month high on Wednesday as technical buying helped the
precious metal reverse initial losses.