Canada's main stock index posted its largest rally in almost three years on Wednesday after U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell suggested a possible pause in interest rate hikes next year. North American markets were calm until Powell's luncheon speech in New York sparked a rally in risk assets aside from energy. "We're seeing both the Canadian and U.S. stock markets posting some pretty decent numbers today," said Candice Bangsund, portfolio manager for Fiera Capital. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 227.16 points to 15,171.25, the largest single-day gain since Feb. 17, 2016. The Canadian dollar traded down at an average of 75.18 cents US compared with an average of 75.25 cents US on Tuesday.

Source: CBC News November 28, 2018 21:25 UTC