P.M. market numbers: August 18, 2009

| North American markets | International markets | Bonds | Currency | Commodities |

Higher commodity stocks led the way to a sharply higher close on the Toronto stock market Tuesday as the market clawed back some of a selloff Monday that was triggered by worries about doubtful consumer strength in a U.S. economic recovery.

The S&P/TSX composite index gained 142.25 points to 10,673.84.

The main index fell 316 points Monday after weak U.S. retail sales figures for July and a dismal read on American consumer confidence at the end of last week.

All TSX sectors advanced Tuesday save for a dip in the health care group but analysts say investors should get used to choppy conditions amid a weak recovery.

John Stephenson, portfolio manager at First Asset Funds Inc., said he believed the recovery has begun, but cautioned he thought it would come in “fits and starts.”

The Canadian dollar added 0.44 of a cent to 90.76 cents U.S.

U.S. indexes also advanced as investors took in positive earnings reports from a pair of U.S. retail heavyweights along with housing data that missed the mark.

The Dow Jones industrial average moved up 82.6 points to 9,217.94 after sliding 186 points on Monday. The Nasdaq composite index rose 25.08 points to 1,955.92 while the S&P 500 index advanced 9.94 points to 989.67.

The company’s adjusted results beat Wall Street’s expectations, and it lifted its guidance for full-year earnings from continuing operations.

The TSX gold sector improved by 1.3% as the December bullion contract on the Nymex gained $3.40 to US$939.20 an ounce.

(THE CANADIAN PRESS)

North American markets

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	Close	Change	YTD
Dow Jones	9,217.94	+82.60 or +0.90%	+5.03%
S&P 500	989.67	+9.94 or +1.01%	+9.57%
NASDAQ	1,955.92	+25.08 or +1.30%	+24.03%
TSX Composite	10,673.84	+142.25 or +1.35%	+18.76%

International markets

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	Close	Change	YTD
Nikkei	10,284.96	+16.35 or +0.16%	+16.09%
Hang Seng	20,306.27	+168.62 or +0.84%	+41.14%
SENSEX	15,035.26	+250.34 or +1.69%	+55.85%
FTSE 100	4,685.78	+40.77 or +0.88%	+5.67%
CAC 40	3,450.69	+31.00 or +0.91%	+7.23%
DAX	5,250.74	+49.13 or +0.94%	+9.16%

Bonds

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Bonds	$Current	$Previous	%Yield
Cdn. 10-year bond	102.77	102.90	3.41
Cdn. 30-year bond	118.54	118.87	3.90
U.S. 10-year bond	100.92	101.31	3.51
U.S. 30-year bond	103.44	103.09	4.35

Currency

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BoC Close	Today	Previous
Canadian $	0.9076	0.9032
US $	1.1018	1.1072

Euro Spot Rate	Today	Previous
Canadian $	0.6424	0.6416
Euro	1.5567	1.5586

Commodities

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Gold	AM	PM
London Gold Fix ($US)	$938.25	$935.00

Oil	Close	Change
WTI Crude Future (US)	$69.05	+$2.30 or +3.45%

(08/18/09)