The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that U.S. and Canadian stocks gained for a second straight session on Monday as investors sought bargains after the recent market pullback and assessed the latest economic data to gauge the impact of the Trump administration's policies. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says that U.S. retail sales rebounded marginally in February, but fell short of expectations, reflecting the increasing uncertainty over tariffs and large-scale firing of federal government employees. A separate report showed March factory activity in New York State plummeted the most in nearly two years. In addition, U.S. homebuilder sentiment dropped to a seven-month low in March as tariffs on imported materials raised construction costs. When the Federal Reserve meets on Wednesday, it is widely expected to keep rates unchanged. Stocks have tumbled in recent weeks, with the S&P 500 dropping last week by more than 10 per cent from its February record high, a drop that defines a correction. In Canada, the S&P/TSX Composite Index ended at 24,785.11, up 231.71, extending its rebound from a 4-1/2-month low on Thursday. Gold, copper and oil prices climbed. All 10 major Toronto sectors ended higher.