The Canadian Press

The Toronto stock market closed slightly higher amid strong economic data from China.

The S&P/TSX composite index moved ahead 7.11 points to 12,211.52 as China reported that its gross domestic product grew 11.9 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier.

That was good news for investors since strong demand from China has helped drive commodity prices and stocks sharply higher over the past year.

The Canadian dollar was down 0.41 of a cent at 99.67 cents US, while oil was 33 cents lower at US$85.65 a barrel.

New York markets were slightly higher as the number of people signing up for unemployment benefits rose sharply for the second straight week.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 21.46 points to 11,144.57. The Nasdaq composite index added 10.83 points to 2,515.69 while the S&P 500 index was up 1.02 points at 1,211.67.