-- The Toronto Stock Exchange is up 78 points at midday with info tech (+3.7%) and energy (+1.7%), posting the biggest gains.
Utilities, down 1%, is the worst performer.
Oil prices were back above US$100.00 per barrel on Monday after ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran failed to end their war and President Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. But Canadian stocks have recouped Monday's early losses, and look set to extend a run of seven wins in the last eight sessions leading in to today.
February building permits fell $1.1 billion (-8.4%) to $12.1 billion, with the decline led by non-residential (-$1.3 billion), reports StatsCan.
In company news, GFL Environmental (GFL.TO) was at last look down 9.5% after saying Monday it was acquiring Secure Waste Infrastructure (SES.TO) for $24.75 per Secure share, for an enterprise value of $6.4 billion. Secure operates a waste-management business in Western Canada and North Dakota.