Healthcare, Materials Stocks Lift TSX

(RTTNews) - The Canadian stock market ended on a firm note on Monday, led by gains in shares from healthcare and materials sections.

After starting off on a bright note, many stocks from the energy space pared their gains as crude oil prices retreated after moving higher early on in the session.

Escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and lack of progress in U.S.-Canada trade talks limited the market's upside.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index ended up 68.82 points, or 0.43%, at 16,082.31, after scaling a low of 16,045.31 and a high of 16,117.95 in the session. On Friday, the Index ended up 11.78 points, or 0.07%, at 16,013.49.

The Capped Materials Index advanced by nearly 2%. Nutrien Ltd. (NTR.TO) gained 3.3%, Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX.TO) added 2.35%, Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV.TO) gained 2.5%, Goldcorp Inc. (G.TO) advanced by 3.3%,

Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM.TO) ended up 2.4% and Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM.TO) gained 2.1%. Kinross Gold Corporation (K.TO) gained 4.2% and Yamana Gold (YRI.TO) added 4.4%.

The Capped Healthcare Index surged up 4.58%. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (ACB.TO) climbed up nearly 17%, on reports Coca Cola is in talks with the company to make marijuana infused drinks. Shares of Canopy Growth Corporation (WEED.TO) gained 2.8%, HEXO Corp. (HEXO.TO) spurted 7.3% and Green Organic Dutchman Holdings (TGOD.TO) ended 1.6% up, while Aphria Inc. (APH.TO) declined marginally.

The Capped Energy Index declined by 0.66%. Encana Corporation (ECA.TO) eased by 2.3%, Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE.TO) ended lower by 1.3%, PrairieSky Royalty (PSK.TO) declined by 3.1% and ARC Resources (ARX.TO) ended 2.7% down, while Husky Energy Inc. (HSE.TO) advanced by 1.5%.

The Capped Financial Index ended up 0.36%. Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO), Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO), Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO), Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO), National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) and Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM.TO) gained 0.25 to 1%.

In economic news, according to a report from Statistics Canada, foreign investment in Canadian securities reached $12.7 billion in July, mainly from acquisitions of federal government bonds. Canadian investment in foreign securities totaled $13.1 billion, led by record purchases of foreign bonds.

The Canadian Real Estate Association said national home sales via Canadian MLS Systems increased for the fourth successive month in August, rising by 0.9%.

Asian markets ended weak on Monday on reports that the Trump administration has instructed aides to proceed with plans to impose tariffs on Chinese imports as early as this week.

European markets ended mixed after cautious trades amid concerns that escalating trade war between the United States and China could hurt global growth.

In the U.S. market, stocks ended mostly lower on Monday, giving back ground after moving notably higher last week.

In commodities, crude oil futures for October were trading at $68.77 a barrel, down $0.22, or 0.32%, from previous close.

Natural gas futures for October were up $0.049, or 1.77%, at $2.816 per million btu.

Gold futures for December gained $5.00, or 0.42%, at $1,206.10 an ounce.

Silver futures for December were up $0.073, or 0.52%, at $14.215 an ounce, while Copper futures gained $0.003, or 0.11%, at $2.649 per pound.