Toronto stocks staged a broad-based rally Tuesday as they caught up to gains made in U.S. markets Monday, when the TSX was closed for Thanksgiving.

The S&P/TSX composite index climbed 115.81 points to close at 7,749.42, a 17-month high.

Every market sector but one advanced led by a 3.3% gain in the mining index. Golds were up 1.5%, while financial services climbed 1.9% and information technology added 1%. Health care advanced 2.2%.

Among active stocks, Nortel closed up 8¢ at $6.13, after it won a US$30 millioncontract from an Israeli telecom operator.

Ivanhoe Mines gained 87¢ to $11.49; and Bombardier gained 13¢ to $6.28.

Silent Witness Enterprises shares soared after a takeover offer from Honeywell. Silent Witness climbed $3.90 to $11.15 following an all-cash offer of $11.27 a share.

Barrick Gold gained 3¢ to $254.88. It has bought a 29% stake in Highland Gold, which operates mainly in Russia.

Among financial services stocks, Bank of Nova Scotia gained $1.63 to $65.50; CIBC added $1.36 to $60.01.

Inco shares reached a new 52-week high rising $1.31 to $41.53 as nickel prices reached a 13-year high. Falconbridge gained 25¢ to $24.25, also a 52-week high.

Drugstore chain Jean Coutu Group fell 27¢ to $16.53 after it reported higher profits that nevertheless disappointed analysts.

Investors are looking ahead to the Bank of Canada’s next interest-rate policy decision on Wednesday.

The Bank of Canada is expected to leave its key overnight rate unchanged at 2.75%, but there has been some speculation the central bank may lower rates to curb the ascent of the Canadian dollar.

Canada’s main bourse rose to its best level since May 2002 on Tuesday as investors played catch-up with U.S. markets, which rose on Monday, and bet on a s

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index gained 8.53 points to 1,429.89.

On Wall Street, stocks rose to fresh highs for the year after companies like drug maker Johnson & Johnson reported solid profits.

Major market gauges traded near unchanged much of the day before heading higher in the late afternoon.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 9.66 points to 1,943.19, hitting its highest close since Jan. 28, 2002.

The blue-chip Dow Jones industrials advanced 48.60 points to 9,812.98. The broad S&P 500 was up 4.13 points at 1,049.48/

Health-care products company Johnson & Johnson was the leading Dow component after it reported higher quarterly earnings and slightly raised its full-year forecast. Its shares climbed US$1.14, or 2.3%, to US$50.93.

Brokerage Merrill Lynch dipped US82¢ to US$58.07, despite posting higher earnings.

The Canadian dollar slipped 0.18¢ to close at US75.55¢ in official Bank of Canada trading.

Investors are looking ahead to the central bank’s next interest-rate policy decision on Wednesday.

The Bank of Canada is expected to leave its key overnight rate unchanged at 2.75%, but there has been some speculation the central bank may lower rates to curb the rise of the loonie.