Canada's main stock index hit a 7-1/2-month high on Wednesday, helped in part by soaring Pretium Resources Inc shares and modest gains in the hefty financial services group.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index rose 30.04 points, or 0.19 per cent, to close at 15,800.40. This was the index's highest close since February 22. It hit an intraday high of 15,816.82.

Eight of the index's 10 main sectors rose.

"Most sectors are benefiting from a strong Canadian economy," said Bryden Teich, a portfolio manager with Avenue Investment Management.

Teich said expectations the Bank of Canada would increase rates more aggressively had weighed on the market for much of the year. The index rallied through much of September as the Bank signaled that would not be the case.

"Over the short term we're probably a little bit overbought ... but I think there's room to move higher to the end of the year."

Pretium Resources surged 24.1 per cent to $15.05 after the company said its Brucejack mine produced 82,203 ounces of gold in the third quarter.

The overall materials group, which includes miners, fertilizer producers and forestry companies, rose 0.3 per cent. Gold futures were up 0.1 per cent to US$1,292 an ounce, while copper prices advanced 0.7 per cent to US$6,808.75 a tonne.

Financial services, which accounts for about a third of the index's weight, added 0.2 per cent.

Shawcor Ltd rose 8.6 per cent to $29.6 after National Bank of Canada raised its price target and rating to outperform from sector perform.

The overall energy group retreated 0.1 per cent, however, due in part to some profit-taking by investors following Tuesday's rally on the back of a 2.7 per cent jump in U.S. crude prices.

Shopify Inc shares recouped some of its recent losses, rising 2.3 per cent to $118.40.

Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the TSX by 138 to 106, for a 1.30-to-1 ratio on the upside.

The index saw nine issues posting new 52-week highs and 3 posting new lows.