12:39 PM EDT, 03/25/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The Toronto Stock Exchange is up 345 points at midday, adding to the 620 points gained Tuesday, with most sectors higher.

The best performers are materials, up 3.2%, boosted by higher gold prices, followed by utilities, up 1.3%.

Energy, down 0.2%, is the biggest decliner, as oil prices ease.

According to Rosenberg Research, markets are buying into U.S. President Trump's 15-point peace plan, even if Iran isn't. The research noted the White House has sent Iran a 15-point peace plan, delivered by Pakistan, but so far all the regime has responded with is more attacks on Israel and the rest of the Gulf region, though the Iranian army is claiming the U.S. has suffered a "strategic defeat" and the IRGC just selected a hardliner, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, as its new leader. All the while, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are reportedly making plans to join in the war effort, and more than 4,000 American troops are on their way to the region (and weighing the option of deployment of a combat brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division).

According to Scotiabank, markets are erring on the side of mild optimism that the US and Iran will be able to strike some sort of agreement that de-escalates the war. "That's highly unclear amid signals to the contrary," the bank said.

In other news, CTV News reports that Canadian officials spoke to Trump administration representatives about a proposed revival of part of the canceled Keystone XL oil pipeline in a meeting in Houston this week.

In stocks, Boralex ( BRLXF ) is 11% higher to $36.58, after announcing that it is being acquired by Brookfield Asset Management (BAM.TO) and La Caisse for $37.25 per share, implying an enterprise value of $9 billion.