Nov 5 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index edged higher on Tuesday, supported by gains in technology and financial shares, while cautious investors sought indicators for the U.S. presidential election's outcome.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 37.52 points, or 0.15%, at 24,293.58.
Voters rushed to the polls to choose between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris in a tightly contested election that could have a potential impact on the global economy.
Though it could take days to declare the winner, majority of the focus will be on key battleground states of Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada.
Wall Street futures rose on Tuesday, with benchmark S&P 500 index adding 0.7%.
The United States is Canada's biggest trading partner and largest purchaser of its energy products, making it a closely monitored event for Canadian investors.
Among sectors, Canada's financials sector, which has the biggest weighting on the index, added 0.53%.
The technology sector advanced 0.57%, buoyed by Coveo Solutions after it reported second-quarter results and annual forecast.
In contrast, real estate shares fell 1%, dragged by Colliers International after it missed third-quarter profit estimates.
The consumer discretionary sector was 0.8% lower as Restaurant Brands shares fell after the Burger King-parent missed estimates for third-quarter results.
"Right now, the markets are in wait and see mode,' said Colin Cieszynski, chief market strategist at SIA Wealth Management.
"Wait and see what happens with the U.S. election, and wait and see what happens with the Fed."
In economic data, Canada posted a higher-than-expected trade deficit of C$1.26 billion ($908 million) in September as a larger drop in imports failed to offset a decline in exports.
Later in the day, minutes of the Bank of Canada's October policy meeting, which resulted in a 50-basis-point interest-rate cut, will be evaluated by investors.
Reporting by Nikhil Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas
Source: Reuters