Canadian Stocks Advance Amid Gains In Gold-Linked Metal Stocks

Canadian stocks edged higher after the S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.31% to 34,966.67, supported mainly by a strong materials sector as gold prices surged on a softer U.S. dollar following weaker-than-expected June jobs data. The article frames the move as modest and cautious, with investors reluctant to make large bets amid uncertainty around U.S.-Canada trade relations after Washington declined to extend the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement for another 16 years. Materials led sector gains, with gold-linked miners among the top performers, while several defensive and consumer sectors lagged. The broader market tone was mildly positive, but the advance was limited by trade-policy concerns and mixed macro signals, including a solid but slowing labor backdrop in the U.S. and steady Canadian manufacturing activity.