Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Canadian stocks finished higher at the close of trading on Monday, driven by strong gains in the Materials, Energy, and Consumer Staples sectors, pushing the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index to a fresh all-time high. The Toronto market showed resilience despite mixed global cues, with investors focusing on commodity strength and selective stock momentum.
By the end of the session, the S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.15%, extending its record-breaking run. Gains were led primarily by mining and resource-related stocks, supported by a sharp rise in gold prices and stable energy markets. Market breadth was mixed, as declining stocks slightly outnumbered advancing ones on the Toronto Stock Exchange, highlighting selective buying rather than broad-based optimism.
IAMGold Corporation emerged as the top performer on the TSX, surging 9.73% to close at 26.28, marking a new all-time high. G Mining Ventures Corp also posted strong gains, climbing 5.47% to 43.17, while Silvercorp Metals Inc advanced 5.21% to 16.56, also reaching a record level. These gains reflected renewed investor interest in precious metals stocks amid rising gold futures.
On the downside, Bitfarms Ltd fell 5.58% to 3.89, weighing on the technology and crypto-related segment. Open Text Corp declined 4.05% to 40.32, while goeasy Ltd dropped 3.92% to close at 129.03, making them among the session’s weakest performers.
Market volatility increased notably, with the S&P/TSX 60 VIX jumping 16.21% to 15.13, its highest level in a month, suggesting growing short-term uncertainty among investors.
In commodities, gold futures for February delivery surged 1.77% to $4,676.70 per troy ounce, providing strong support to mining stocks. Crude oil prices were marginally higher, with WTI crude at $59.43 a barrel and Brent crude at $64.16. In currency markets, the Canadian dollar was largely unchanged against both the U.S. dollar and the euro, while the U.S. Dollar Index Futures slipped 0.35%, adding further support to commodity prices.
Overall, the Canadian stock market ended the session on a positive note, underpinned by strong commodity performance and selective investor optimism.
