With no economic reports to drive the markets on Easter Monday, investors turned their sights to corporate profits as a source of optimism. Toronto’s S&P/TSX composite index ended up 65.29 points, or 0.74%, at 8898.77 on a volume of 164.5 million shares worth $1.95 billion. Today’s finish was the best since February 2001.

North American investors are looking to the upcoming corporate earnings season to give markets a boost. In Canada, investors are also expecting an interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada tomorrow morning. The central bank is widely anticipated to lower rates by 25 basis points to 2%.

Overall, today, eight of the TSX’s 10 subgroups finished higher. The energy sector led the way on the TSX, rising 1.96%. Talisman Energy rose $2.35, or 2.94%, to $82.15, Precision Drilling added $1.72, or 2.68%, at $65.90. Nexen Inc. gained C$1.10, or 2.03%, to C$55.30.

Tech stocks also jumped – adding 1.62%. Sierra Wireless rose $4.00, or 7.1%, to $60.30. Research In Motion surged $5.80, or 4.14%, to $145.80.

The materials, financial services and industrials groups also closed higher, while telecoms and utilities fell.

The venture exchange fell today, down 12.09 points to 1,872.73.

South of the border, U.S. stocks rose, led by two blue-chip companies, Exxon Mobil and DuPont Co. Energy stocks did well in the U.S. too as a result of rising gas prices on the Easter weekend – ahead of the summer driving season.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 73.53 points, or 0.7%, to 10,515.56. The S & P 500 edged up5.91 points, or 0.52%, to 1,145.23. The Nasdaq composite index rose 12.60 points, or 0.61%, to 2,065.48.