Most North American markets got a boost from bargain-hunters today, amid a break in the obsessive focus on a potential interest rate hike. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 75.57 points, or 0.93%, at 8,205.06.

All but one of the TSX’s 10 subgroups finished higher. Tech stocks led the way, climbing 2.71%. The energy, industrials and materials groups all posted more than 1% gains.

On the downside, utilities fell a mere 0.03%.

The energy sector got a boost from surging oil prices, which bounced back above $40 due to doubts that Saudi Arabia’s call for a rise in OPEC quotas would have much impact on a tight global market.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index was the loser today among North American market guages. It fell 7.80 to 1,558.69.

In the U.S. stocks rose, ending a three-day losing streak. Strength in Intel and Exxon Mobil buoyed the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.

However, tech bellwether Cisco’s stock declined after today’s close, even after it posted higher quarterly earnings and sales, driven by rising demand among corporate customers for its networking gear. During regular trading today, Cisco gained 63¢ or 2.9%.

Higher oil prices had an adverse affect on Wall Street, as investors worried that a surge at the gas pumps would cut into consumer spending. Despite this worry, the Dow Jones industrial average added 29.45 points, or 0.29%, to 10,019.47, snapping a four-day losing streak.

The S&P 500 Index climbed slightly — up 8.37 points, or 0.77%, to 1,095.49. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index gained 35.28 points, or 1.86%, to 1,931.35.