Canada’s main stock index sat flat on Wednesday, weighed down by energy stocks that slipped due to lower oil prices.
At 11:30 a.m. ET, the Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index was up 2.35 points, or 0.01 per cent, at 16,124.50.
The energy sector was flat as oil prices dropped with increasing signs that Saudi Arabia and other big crude producers may raise supply to balance a surge in demand during the peak U.S. summer driving season.
Four of the index’s eleven major sectors were lower, led by consumer staples, which fell 0.66 per cent. Empire Company Ltd. was down 1.9 per cent, while Metro Inc. dropped 1 per cent.
Economic data showed Canada’s trade deficit shrank to a six-month low, as exports climbed to a record high and imports dropped.
The Canadian dollar strengthened to a near one-week high against its U.S. counterpart on smaller-than-expected trade deficit data and as the greenback broadly fell.
One of the biggest drag on the TSX was Dream Global REIT , which slipped 2.9 per cent following an equity offering.
Hudson’s Bay Co. was down 2.8 per cent after analysts cut price targets following dismal first-quarter results.
Aphria Inc. jumped almost 6 per cent after the company’s board of directors has approved a $55-million capital project to build a state-of-the-art extraction centre of excellence in Leamington, Ont.
The most heavily traded shares by volume were of cannabis firms Aurora Cannabis, Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd and Canopy Growth Co.
U.S. stocks are rising for the fourth day in a row Wednesday as banks rise in tandem with interest rates. Technology companies and smaller, more domestic-focused companies continue to set records as investors monitor trade disputes between the U.S. and other countries as well as global economic growth. Electric car maker Tesla is gaining as investors grow more confident it will meet its production targets for the Model 3 sedan.
The S&P 500 index added 10 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 2,759. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 205 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 25,005. The Nasdaq composite rose 21 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 7,659. The Russell 2000 index of smaller company stocks gained 4 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 1,669.
Electric car maker Tesla rose after Chairman and CEO Elon Musk said he expects the company will be able to produce 5,000 Model 3 sedans in a single week by the end of this month. That’s Tesla’s long term goal for production of the Model 3, its attempt to reach the mass market with a less expensive car. Tesla has struggled to reach that target, and doing so would help the company stem its long-term losses.
Tesla shareholders also rejected a proposal to overhaul the board of directors and strip Musk of his role as chairman. The stock gained 6 per cent to $308.46.
U.S. bond prices slipped. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.97 per cent from 2.93 per cent. Higher yields can signal higher rates on mortgages and other consumer loans. JPMorgan Chase climbed 2.1 per cent to $110.10 and Bank of America gained 2.4 per cent to $29.81.
Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman slumped 5.2 per cent to $52.98. The company’s sales fell short of analyst projections while costs connected with the creation of a charitable foundation affected its earnings. Brown-Forman could also be caught up in the trade tensions ignited by in response to President Trump’s decision last week to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from the European Union, Mexico and Canada. The company said it has concerns about how possible tariffs on U.S. spirits would affect its sales. Kentucky bourbon was included on a list of possible tariff targets by European Union officials.
On Tuesday, Mexico announced duties of 15 to 25 per cent on imports from the United States including pork, steel tubes and bourbon. The government said it would waive tariffs on pork from other countries to ensure adequate supplies. Canada has also said it’s planning steel and aluminum tariffs that will take effect July 1, and the European Union is expected to announce its own response to the U.S. tariffs in the coming weeks.
Those issues are likely to take centre stage when leaders of the Group of Seven meet Friday. Finance ministers of the other six governments expressed “concern and disappointment” over the tariffs in a statement last weekend.
Devon Energy climbed after it said it will sell its interest in two companies for a total of $3.13 billion. Global Infrastructure Partners will buy its stakes in EnLink Midstream Partners and EnLink Midstream LLC. Devon increased its stock buyback authorization and said the deal also reduces its debt. The stock gained 6.5 per cent to $41.86 while the two EnLink companies both fell about 3 per cent.
Signet Jewelers soared after the company had a stronger first quarter than Wall Street expected and said there are signs its sales are stabilizing. The company also maintained its annual forecasts. Signet traded as high as $75 a share in November but has plunged since after it reported weak sales, announced more store closings, and dealt with complications from the sale of its credit portfolio. The stock rose 20 per cent to $52.87 Wednesday.
Athenahealth, a medical billing software company, climbed after it said it is exploring a possible sale. The company also said CEO Jonathan Bush resigned effective immediately. Investor Elliott Management recently offered about $6.5 billion to take Athenahealth private and said it had grown frustrated with the company’s performance. Athenahealth also named former GE CEO Jeff Immelt as its new chairman. The stock advanced 3.8 per cent to $156.95.
Benchmark U.S. crude fell 1 per cent to $64.89 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, added slipped 0.7 per cent to $74.86 per barrel in London.
The DAX in Germany rose 0.1 per cent and France’s CAC 40 lost 0.4 per cent. In Britain, the FTSE 100 index edged up 0.2 per cent. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4 per cent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.4 per cent. South Korean markets were closed for a holiday.
Reuters and The Associated Press