The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that U.S. stocks ended sharply higher on Monday, with the Dow hitting a record closing high. A wire services item says that weekend hostilities between the United States and Iran eased and major technology-related shares rose after recent selling. The Toronto Stock Exchange, however, ended lower in a relatively broad decline. Philip Petursson, chief investment strategist at IG Wealth, said it wasn't clear why Canadian and U.S. markets diverged, but that it may have to do with the shortened week in Canada and the U.S., with traders "closing out some positions." Mr. Petursson said the moves in the market appeared to be driven by sentiment, "but where that sentiment is coming from is the real challenge." The S&P/TSX Composite Index ended down 156.18 points at 34,823.82. Just two of the 10 major sectors ended higher, including heavily weighted financials. The price of oil settled 2.2 per cent higher at $70.75 (U.S.) a barrel. The price of gold was down 1.8 per cent, moving toward the bottom of its range since November. Consumer discretionary fell 1 per cent, with shares of apparel retailer Aritzia down 2.9 per cent, while consumer staples ended 1.7 per cent lower.