Source: The Canadian Press

The Toronto stock market racked up a strong gain Tuesday as stocks got a lift from a strong showing in the U.S. manufacturing sector.

The S&P/TSX composite index began February by surging 160.63 points to 13,712.62 — its second solid triple-digit advance in as many days — while the TSX Venture Exchange gained 27.44 points to 2,301.99.

Investors also kept an eye on Cairo, where more than a quarter-million people flooded the city’s main square to press demands for President Hosni Mubarak to leave.

Mubarak went on Egyptian TV just as the markets were closing to announce that he does not intend to run for president again.

Risk aversion receded with oil prices moving lower and the Canadian dollar gaining against the greenback, up 1.07 cents at 100.92 cents US after going as high as 101.01 cents US.

Despite nervousness about the turmoil in Egypt, the TSX has not been negatively impacted. The market has actually been positive as investors fleeing risk have bought into commodities such as oil — sending crude up about eight per cent over the previous two sessions before easing slightly on Tuesday — and pushing resource stocks higher.

“Quite frankly, I’m surprised at how strong, really resilient the Canadian equity market has been since these troubles surfaced in Egypt last week,” said Garey Aitken, director of equity research at Bissett Investment Management in Calgary.

“I guess it’s really just a market that continues to just climb this wall of worry.”

Investors were also impressed with data showing that the factory sector expanded in January at the fastest pace in seven years, as manufacturers reported a sharp jump in new orders. The Institute for Supply Management’s index of manufacturing activity rose last month to 60.8, up sharply from 57 in December.

The employment index also rose, a sign that manufacturing companies are hiring more workers.

“The data points generally coming out of the U.S. are pointing towards an economy that is in pretty good shape here,” added Aitken.

“We’re going to see the January non-farm payrolls report and I think that will be really important to the market. I think the market has been expecting this better looking economy to translate into a more upbeat job picture.”

The base metals sector led the way higher on the TSX, up 3.1% as supply worries and data showing strong expansion in the U.S. manufacturing sector last month pushed copper into record territory, up nine cents to US$4.55 a pound.

Teck Resources (TSX:TCK.B) rose $1.77 to C$62.42 while First Quantum (TSX:FM) climbed $6.39 to $122.24.

The financial sector also provided lift to the TSX, up 1.44% as Royal Bank (TSX:RY) gained 65 cents to $54.33.

Scotiabank (TSX:BNS) shares rose 97 cents to $57.43 as the bank announced that it had completed its acquisition of DundeeWealth Inc. (TSX:DC.A), saying Monday it now holds 97% of the wealth management firm.

The gold sector was also higher as the April contract on the Nymex moved up $5.80 to US$1,340.30 an ounce. Kinross Gold Corp. (TSX:K) rose 19 cents to C$16.83 while Goldcorp Inc. (TSX:G) improved 60 cents $40.79.

Oil prices relaxed after surging to the highest levels since October 2008 on worries that unrest in Egypt could spread or force a closure of the Suez Canal, a key route for oil tankers and cargo ships as they steer from the Persian Gulf to major oil-consuming countries in Europe.

On Tuesday, the March crude contract in New York eased $1.42 to US$90.77 a barrel and the energy sector was up a slight 0.25%. Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) advanced 30 cents to C$44.95 while Husky Energy (TSX:HSE) rose 57 cents to $27.57.

Meanwhile, Brent crude, another key oil benchmark rose 73 cents to settle at US$101.74 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London. Brent, which is shipped to refineries around the world, affects crude prices in most coastal markets, including the U.S. East Coast. It’s used to price oil in Asia, where demand is growing fast, and in Europe, where a cold winter has increased demand for heating oil.

New York indexes were up well over one per cent with the Dow Jones industrial average closing up 148.23 points at 12,040.16, its first close above the 12,000-mark since June, 2008.

The Nasdaq composite index gained 51.11 points to 2,751.19 and the S&P 500 index rose 21.47 points to 1,307.59.

Meanwhile, Standard & Poor’s became the second major credit agency in as many days to downgrade its rating on Egypt, warning that the political instability and unrest will hamper Egypt’s economic growth and hurt its public finances.

S&P says it expects violent demonstrations will persist despite the appointment of a new vice-president and the dismissal of the previous government by President Hosni Mubarak. As a result, it reduced its long-term debt rating on Egypt by one notch to BB.

On Monday, Moody’s also downgraded its view on the country.

In corporate news, shares in indebted oilsands junior Opti Canada Inc. (TSX:OPC) tumbled 24 cents or 34.78% to 45 cents. The junior oilsands company has hired prominent advisory firm Lazard Freres & Co. to help it grapple with debt pressures and operational issues at its flagship Long Lake project, which it holds in partnership with Nexen Inc. (TSX:NXY).

Detour Gold Corp. (TSX:DGC) shares jumped $1.87, or 7.16%, to $28 after announcing Monday that reserves at its proposed Detour Lake mine in northwestern Ontario, already one of North America’s largest gold deposits, are 31% bigger than previously estimated.