By Fergal Smith
(Reuters) -Canada’s main stock index added to its monthly advance on Friday, helped by gains for financial and technology shares, as investors cheered U.S. data that showed the economy on a solid footing.
The Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index ended up 118.69 points, or 0.5%, at 23,346.18, stopping just short of Monday’s record closing high. For the month, the TSX added 1% after climbing 5.7% in July.
U.S. consumer spending increased 0.5% in July and prices rose moderately, curbing inflation, a report from the U.S. Commerce Department showed.
“Overall, it looks like the U.S. economy is fine,” said Allan Small, senior investment advisor of the Allan Small Financial Group with iA Private Wealth. “The market is liking it.”
Canada sends about 75% of its exports to the United States. Separate data showed the Canadian economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualized pace of 2.1% in the second quarter but still at…
