Canadian stock market closes higher on positive Chinese, U.S. economic data (2)

Six of the eight sectors on the Canadian stock market's main index closed higher, with fertilizer producers as the strongest driving force.

Canada's Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, the world biggest potash producer, rose 1.7 percent to 42.63 Canadian dollars (42.50 U.S. dollars) per share. Its main rival Agrium climbed 2.9 percent to 113.90 Canadian dollars (113.56 dollars) per share after it raised its fourth-quarter earnings forecast.

The energy sector gained 0.7 percent helped by the rising oil prices. The March crude oil contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange gained 72 U.S. cents to 95.94 U.S. dollars a barrel.

Canadian Natural Resources increased by 1.62 percent to 30.67 Canadian dollars (30.58 dollars) per share.