The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Dec. 12, edition that on Wednesday, the S&P 500 Index rose, and tech stocks drove the Nasdaq above 20,000 points for the first time. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that in Canada, the S&P/TSX Composite Index gained after a 50-basis-point interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped due to health insurers declining after lawmakers introduced a bill expected to hurt their profits. The Labor Department reported that U.S. consumer prices rose in November by the most in seven months, aligning with market expectations. In Canada, resource stocks led gains as the BOC announced a significant interest-rate cut. The TSX rose 153.37 points, or 0.6 per cent, closing at 25,657.70, nearing Friday's record high. Despite the rate cut, the Canadian dollar and bond yields increased, reflecting the BOC's planned gradual approach to further easing, with the two-year bond yield up seven basis points by late afternoon. On the TSX, the materials sector rose 2.1 per cent as the price of gold climbed. Oil settled up 2.5 per cent at $70.29 (U.S.), which helped energy gain 1.4 per cent. Technology also added 1.4 per cent.