TSX index flirts with record closing mark, Dow tops 20,000 for first time

TORONTO — The Toronto Stock Exchange was flirting with its record-high close.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 46.37 points at 15,657.06 after 90 minutes of trading.

The benchmark had traded above its record close of 15,657.63 set on Sept. 3, 2014, but slipped below the level in late-morning trading.

The Dow Jones industrial average in New York opened above 20,000 points for the first time.

After 90 minutes of trading, it was at 20,065.05 — up 152.34 points. The S&P 500 was up 14.82 points at 2,294.89 , while the Nasdaq composite was up 44.48 points at 5,645.43.

The Canadian dollar was at 76.41 cents US, up 0.43 of a U.S. cent from Tuesday. It was also up against other major currencies including the euro and yen.

Crude oil futures for March delivery gained 11 cents at US$53.29 and February gold fell $14.90 at US$1,195.90 per ounce.

March natural gas contracts added seven cents at $3.37 per mmBtu and March copper contracts were up flat at US$2.71 per pound.

The Canadian Press