Strength in oil prices helped the benchmark index of the resource-heavy Toronto Stock Exchange gain nearly 90 points on Tuesday.

The S&P/TSX composite index advanced by 87.83 points, or 0.8%, to close at 11,105.30.

Energy stocks led the gains, rising 2.5% as oil futures rallied. Crude for October delivery gained US$3.08, or 4.5%, to US$71.10 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Shares of Suncor Energy Inc. jumped 3.1% to $35.04 and Talisman Energy Inc. gained 3.9% to $17.99.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. added $2.19, or 3.5%, to end at $65.70.

Shares of Nexen Inc. soared 4.3% to $23.16 and Niko Resources Ltd. gained 3% to close at $74.80.

Meanwhile, the financials group edged up 0.4% on Tuesday.

Shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada jumped 2.4% to $39.23 and Royal Bank of Canada edged up 0.8% to $56.84.

IGM Financial Inc. gained $1.23, or 3%, to close at $42.23.

The materials group finished the day flat, while the sub-gold index dipped 1.2%, despite a small boost in gold futures. December gold futures, the most active contract, ended up US$3.10, or 0.3%, at US$999.80 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Lower for the day was Barrick Gold Corp., down 2.4% to $42.45, and Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., off 3.1% to $70.85.

Other materials group stocks advanced, including Teck Resources Ltd., up $1.04, or 3.9%, to $27.54.

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. surged 5% to $72.70 and Inmet Mining added 2.4% to $54.21.

The Venture index added 11.81 points, or 1%, to close at 1,241.06.

The loonie continued to climb, adding more than half a cent to close at US92.64¢.

The main U.S. stock market indices were also lifted by strength in energy stocks on Tuesday, extending their gains to three consecutive sessions.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 56.07 points, or 0.6%, to end at 9,497.34.

The S&P 500 index added 8.99 points, or 0.9%, to 1,025.39.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 18.99 points, or 0.9%, to 2,037.77.