North American markets held onto morning gains Tuesday, as a weakening U.S. dollar pushed commodities higher.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 0.25 per cent at noon (ET), or 23.57 points, to 9,464.84, The broader S&P 500 gained 0.52 per cent, or 5.2 points, to 1,021.66. The S&P/TSX put in a stronger morning, as oil rose toward $70 a barrel and gold crested $1,000 an ounce. The index was up 1.05 per cent, or 115.23 points, to 11,132.70.
The energy sector led the gains, up 2.5 per cent on the strength of Suncor (up 3.4 per cent) and Canadian Natural Resources (up 3.2 per cent). The materials sector also gained, up 1.8 per cent.