North American markets closed higher Tuesday, as a positive U.S. economic report gave investors hope that the domestic economy still had strength.

The S&P/TSX composite index is up 59.68, or 0.52%, to 11,642.

Six of the 10 TSX main sub-groups were down, but the energy index moved up 2.36%.

The benchmark November contract for light, sweet crude closed down 44¢ at US$61.01 a barrel, after hitting a high of $62 in intra-day trading.

Petro-Canada gained $1.09, or 2.56%, to $43.69.

The materials index shot up 2.33%, and the gold index surged 2.90%

The benchmark December gold contract rose $1.20 to US$597.10 an ounce.

Cambior Inc. gained 9¢, or 2.34%, to $3.93.

The financials sector was down 0.88%. Toronto-Dominion Bank lost 31¢, or 0.47%, to $65.76.

The Canadian dollar climbed 0.21 of a cent to US89.78¢.