Canada’s main stock index fell on Monday, hurt by information technology and health-care shares, as investors remained risk-averse ahead of potential U.S. tariffs.
The TSX Composite Index came off its lows of the morning, but were still 13.29 points shy of breakeven at 25,133.74.
The Canadian dollar shed 0.09 cents to 70.27 cents U.S.
This week, Canada and Mexico are expected to intensify discussions to avoid 25% tariffs on their exports to the U.S., aiming to convince President Donald Trump’s administration that their efforts to enhance border security and curb fentanyl trafficking are effective, ahead of a March 4 deadline.
In corporate news, Britain’s National Grid has reached a deal to sell its U.S. onshore renewables business to investment firm Brookfield Asset Management for $1.74 billion including debt. Brookfield shares ditched $1.37, or 1.6%, to $81.94.
Among individual stocks, Calibre Mining was among the worst performers on TSX, down 6.7% after mid-tier gold producer Equinox Gold on Sunday said it would buy all outstanding shares of the mining company.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange lost 10.11 points, or 1.6%, to 624.58.
Seven of the 12 subgroups were lower by noon EST, weighed most by health-care, down 2.8%, information technology, off 1.2%, and energy, dipping 0.5%.
The five gainers were led by consumer discretionary stocks, up 1.9%, consumer staples, ahead 1.6%, and telecoms, better by 0.9%.
ON WALLSTREET
The S&P 500 edged upward Monday as the market tried to bounce back following Friday’s steep selloff. Shares of major tech companies came under pressure, leading the NASDAQ lower on the day and briefly into negative territory for 2025.
The Dow Jones Industrials gained 159.15 points to pause for lunch at 43,587.17.
The much-broader index fought its way ahead 5.01 points to 6,018.14
The NASDAQ Composite fell 82.4 points to 19,441.60.
Shares of Palantir tumbled more than 8% on Monday, pulling the Nasdaq lower. Microsoft shed 1.2% after an analyst report from TD Cowen said the company is cutting spending on data centers, raising fears of weakness in the artificial intelligence trade. Chipmaking giant Nvidia slipped 1%.
The week ahead includes key readings on corporate earnings and the economy. Earnings reports from Home Depot on Tuesday and Lowe’s on Wednesday will give investors a better sense of how U.S. consumers are faring. Nvidia’s earnings report on Wednesday evening could be even more impactful, as the artificial intelligence-linked chipmaker is still one of the biggest stocks by market cap.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury gained slightly, lowering yields to 4.41% from Friday’s 4.43%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices added 33 cents to $70.73 U.S. a barrel.
Prices for gold revived $2.70 an ounce to $2,955.90 U.S.
