The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday, partly boosted by a round of strong bank earnings that helped put the Dow on track for its longest streak of daily gains in more than two years. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says that the Toronto Stock Exchange closed at a two-month high, as a slowdown in Canadian inflation to less than 3 per cent further bolstered investor sentiment. Morgan Stanley shares jumped 6.45 per cent, their biggest one-day percentage climb since Nov. 9, 2020, after topping expectations as growth in the bank's wealth management business offset lower trading revenue. Bank of America gained 4.42 per cent after its profit beat expectations by earning more from customers' loan payments, while investment banking and trading fared better than expected. The S&P 500 banks index ended 1.90 per cent firmer at 317.02, its highest closing level since March 8, when the start of a mini-bank crisis created a sharp sell-off in the sector. Microsoft shares gained 3.98 per cent to a record close of $359.49 (U.S.). The S&P/TSX Composite Index ended up 0.7 per cent at 20,376.57. Energy rose 2.7 per cent as oil settled 2.2 per cent higher at $75.75 (U.S.) a barrel.