The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Canada's main stock index advanced on Tuesday, led by metal mining shares, but the move was limited ahead of interest rate decisions by the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve. A Reuters dispatch to The globe sys the S&P/TSX Composite Index ended up 74.40 points at 31,244.37, edging closer to the record-closing high it posted on Thursday. The Bank of Canada is expected to leave its benchmark interest rate on hold at a three-year low of 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, while the Fed is expected to continue its easing campaign. The prospect of further central bank easing and recent increases in precious-metal prices are "pretty constructive" for the market, said Stan Wong at Scotia Wealth Management. Possible shifts next year in central bank policy as well as U.S. midterm elections and a joint review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement on trade could lead to pockets of increased market volatility. The materials group, which includes metal-mining shares, rose 2 per cent as the price of silver climbed 4.5 per cent to a record high. Energy was a drag, falling 1.1 per cent, as the price of oil settled 1.1 per cent lower at $58.25 (U.S.) a barrel.