Reassuring economic signs from the U.S. and overseas helped push the Toronto stock market up nearly 100 points, while the S&P 500 in New York closed at its highest level ever. The S&P/TSX composite index soared by 98.13 points to 14,357.97, lifted by gains in the metals and mining and financial sectors. On Wall Street, the broader S&P 500 composite index advanced 7.26 points to 2,137.16.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 80.19 points at 18,226.93, and the Nasdaq composite gained 31.88 points to 4,988.64.

Enthusiasm was injected into the stock markets on Friday after a stronger-than-expected June jobs report from the U.S.

Indexes were also buoyed after the ruling party in Japan was re-elected Sunday, a likely sign of more stimulus.

In the U.K., Home Secretary Theresa May was elected Conservative party leader and named as the successor for Prime Minister David Cameron, who will step down Wednesday.

In commodities, the August crude contract was down 65 cents at US$44.76 per barrel, putting downward pressure on the Canadian dollar.

The loonie lost 0.48 of a cent from 76.21 cents US.

August natural gas contract declined 10 cents at US$2.70 per, August gold lost $1.80 to US$1,356.60 an ounce and September copper gained three cents to US$2.15 a pound.