TSX Peaks at record high

On Wednesday, the TSX Composite Index reached a record high of 23,110.81 points, buoyed by significant gains in tech and energy stocks amid rising Middle East tensions following the killing of a Hamas leader. The Canadian dollar climbed to 72.41 cents U.S. as Statistics Canada reported a 0.2% GDP growth in May, marking the fourth increase in five months. In the U.S., stocks also surged as the Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady, spurring optimism in the tech sector, particularly with major players like NVIDIA leading the charge. Notably, Precision Drilling's shares rose 7.1% following strong second-quarter results, while other energy shares also performed well. Conversely, real estate stocks lagged, with notable declines in some REITs. Overall, investor sentiment was uplifted by expectations of a potential rate cut from the Fed in September.