Investors feeling more optimistic about 2009 snapped up stocks Friday from some of last year's worst performing sectors and sent the Toronto stock market sharply higher on the first day of trading in the year. New York markets also surged despite data showing a further slump in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index was up 246.41 points to 9,234.11 with all sectors positive save gold and consumer staples stocks. The battered TSX base-metals sector, down 68 per cent last year, was the leading sector Friday, rising over 15 per cent. New York's Dow Jones industrial average rose 258.3 points to 9,034.69. The Canadian dollar edged up 0.16 of a cent to 82.26 cents (U.S.).
- The Canadian Press