Energy Shares Help TSX Higher Yet Again -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks got back on the winning track Wednesday as crude oil prices jumped to their highest since December, boosting the crucial energy sector.

Metal stocks also performed well, as did health care stocks after a Board shake up at troubled Valeant (VRX.TO).

The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 81.85 points, or 0.61 percent, to 13,392.90, its ninth daily gain in the past ten sessions.

Energy stocks climbed 1.3 percent, although Imperial Oil (IMO.TO) lagged.

Imperial sold its Esso gas stations to 7-Eleven, Parkland Fuel Inc. and Alimentation Couche-Tard for $2.8-billion.

April West Texas Intermediate crude jumped $1.79, or 4.9%, to settle at $38.29 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest since early December.

Health care stocks rose 2 percent. Valeant announced that Anders Lonner has stepped down as a director. Pershing's Stephen Fraidin and two other have joined its Board as independent directors.

Quebecor Inc. halved its 2015 fourth-quarter loss on higher revenues, the telecom company said. Shares were down 2.5 percent.