The S&P/TSX Composite rose about 0.2% to trade above 30,150 on Thursday, buoyed by the materials sector while investors positioned for further easing from the Bank of Canada. Teck Resources, First Quantum Minerals and Ivanhoe Mines led gains, adding over 1%, 2% and 3% respectively as copper prices extended their rally. Meanwhile, after the BoC cut the policy rate to 2.50% on September 17th the Summary of Deliberations signalled openness to additional cuts if downside risks persist, which pushed markets to price further easing. Softer domestic activity reinforced that view as S&P Global’s Canada Manufacturing PMI fell to 47.7 in September, the eighth straight monthly contraction and a clear sign that new orders and output are cooling.