Written By
Nick Raffoul
Nick Raffoul is the Founder and Lead Analyst at Best Canadian Stocks. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration, has over a decade of writing experience, and grew his personal portfolio 153% from 2020 to 2024.
Affiliate Disclosure: Bestcanadianstocks.ca may earn a commission when you open an account or make a purchase through links on this page. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps us continue providing free financial content to Canadian investors.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index closed at a new all-time high on Monday, rising 0.21% to approximately 36,468 and surpassing the early-August record. Energy stocks led the rally as oil prices held near US$88 per barrel, driven by persistent uncertainty over efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (data as of August 10, 2026 market close).
Energy Stocks Drive the Rally
The energy sector powered the TSX to its latest milestone as Brent crude traded near US$88 per barrel. Brent has climbed 14.5% over the past month and 31% over the past year, according to Fortune, as ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt global supply flows.
Tehran has stated the US must lift its blockade before fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies. Reports over the weekend included a Houthi claim of an attack on a Saudi Jazan refinery and an attack on a tanker operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the strait.
Strathcona Resources led TSX gainers with an 8.74% advance, while International Petroleum Corp climbed 8.24%. Endeavour Silver rounded out the top three with a 7.30% gain. Market breadth was positive but not overwhelming, with 511 advancers against 459 decliners and 77 stocks unchanged.
Not Everything Rallied
While energy stocks celebrated, other sectors faced pressure. Superior Plus dropped 9.02% to lead decliners, followed by ATS Corp at −6.81%. Barrick Mining fell 6.45%, though no specific catalyst was cited for the decline.
The mixed performance highlights the concentrated nature of Monday’s record close. Energy, information technology, and clean technology led the advance while other sectors lagged—a narrower rally than the broad-based moves that tend to prove more durable.
The Wednesday Test: US CPI Data
The real test for the TSX’s new record arrives Wednesday morning at 8:30am ET when the US releases July consumer price inflation data. Market-implied expectations, based on Polymarket data as of August 9, show a 78% probability that headline CPI will land in the 3.3% to 3.4% year-over-year corridor.
June’s US inflation figures showed headline CPI at 3.5% year-over-year, down from 4.2% in May, with core inflation at 2.6%. If July’s data comes in cooler than expected, it could reinforce market expectations for lower interest rates, a backdrop that has historically supported equity markets including the TSX.
Conversely, if CPI runs hotter than the 3.3–3.4% range, it could reignite concerns about persistent inflation and delay expectations for rate cuts. That scenario would likely pressure interest-rate-sensitive sectors and could test whether the TSX can hold its new record level. For a deeper look at what the CPI report means for Canadian portfolios, see our full preview here.
What Investors Should Do
Record highs often prompt emotional decision-making. The temptation to chase momentum or, conversely, to sell into strength can both lead to poor outcomes.
For Canadian investors, the current setup warrants a measured approach. If you’ve been building positions in quality energy stocks or diversified TSX holdings, Monday’s advance is a positive signal but not a reason to abandon your investment plan. If you’ve been waiting for a pullback, recognize that markets can stay elevated longer than expected—timing tops is notoriously difficult.
Wednesday’s CPI data will provide the next directional signal. Until then, focus on portfolio fundamentals: are your holdings aligned with your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment goals? Are you properly diversified across sectors and asset classes? Do you have a clear plan for how you’ll respond to either a CPI surprise or confirmation of the consensus view?
If you’re looking to build a diversified portfolio of Canadian stocks, consider opening an account with Questrade. Questrade offers the lowest commissions for Canadian investors, and ETFs are always free to buy. New accounts receive $50 in free trades to get started. Whether you’re building an RRSP, TFSA, or taxable account, having access to Canada’s leading investing apps makes it easier to act on your investment decisions with confidence.
The Bottom Line
The TSX set a new all-time high Monday on the strength of energy stocks, but the rally’s narrow sector leadership raises questions about sustainability. Wednesday’s US inflation data will be the first major test of whether the index can hold this level or whether profit-taking and macro concerns will pull it back.
For now, the trend remains positive. But as always in investing, what happens next matters more than what happened yesterday.
Disclaimer: The content on bestcanadianstocks.ca is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Data as of August 10, 2026.
Written By
Nick Raffoul
Nick Raffoul is the Founder and Lead Analyst at Best Canadian Stocks. He holds a degree in Business Administration and has over a decade of writing experience. Nick began investing just before the COVID-19 market crash in March 2020, growing his personal portfolio 153% by 2024. In 2022, he founded Best Canadian Stocks to make data-driven investing accessible to all Canadians. His goal is to help all of his readers achieve financial freedom, maximize their spending power, and reach their financial goals. Whether you're maximizing your TFSA, building an RRSP to save for retirement, or looking to buy your first stock, Nick has your back. His work covers Canadian equities, dividend investing, tax-advantaged accounts, and personal finance.
