Canada, U.S. markets slide on tech weakness as oil prices rise on geopolitical fears
BNN Bloomberg
Canada’s main stock index finished lower on Friday, weighed down by losses in the technology and financial sectors, while U.S. stock markets also retreated.
Brian Madden, chief investment officer with First Avenue Investment Counsel, said that while Canada’s main stock index lost ground there was “underlying strength,” pointing to gains in the commodities sector as well as defensive stocks like telecoms.
“Although the index is down, there’s actually more gainers than decliners today,” he said.
Tech and financial stocks weighed on the S&P/TSX composite index’s performance on Friday.
Madden said software stocks have been facing pressure on both sides of the border.
In financial services, Canada’s Big Six banks reported earnings this week with solid performances.
A key question hangs over the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting that ends Wednesday: Will central bank policymakers still reduce short-term interest rates this year, now that the Iran war has sent oil prices higher and gas prices spiking? Or will they have to stand pat for months to see how the conflict plays out?
Wall Street followed global markets higher Wednesday and the price of U.S. crude fell eased despite a new barrage of attacks by Iran on its Gulf neighbors.
Jay Allen is a fan of U.S. President Donald Trump, and voted for him on the belief that the Republican would cut taxes and trim regulations, helping his manufacturing business in northeast Arkansas.
Shares advanced Wednesday in Europe and Asia as oil prices fell back slightly despite a barrage of attacks by Iran on its Gulf neighbours.
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Oil prices resumed their rise on Tuesday because of the war with Iran, but U.S. stocks held steadier this time around.
Oil prices above $100 add pressure on inflation and growth, complicating rate decisions for central banks.
Closing arguments are set to kick off Tuesday in a trial pitting Elon Musk against Twitter shareholders who say the world’s richest man engaged in a pattern of deceptive behavior that misled investors as he attempted to back out of his US$44-billion deal to buy the social media platform in 2022.
Markets in Canada and the U.S. were up in late-morning trading on Tuesday despite the ongoing war in Iran.
St. Patrick’s Day will test restaurant bar sales as Canadians drink less, with declining consumption and shifting habits weighing on industry revenues.
New York Stock Exchange-parent Intercontinental Exchange said on Tuesday it has launched a product to bring greater transparency to the private credit market, an asset class beleaguered by heightened investor concerns.
Oil tankers are crossing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s actions to choke traffic through the shipping route have not hurt the U.S. economy, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Tuesday, reiterating the Trump administration’s position that the war should be over in weeks, not months.
Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed in February to 1.8 per cent, but many economists believe the new Statistics Canada data may be the dip before a spike driven by oil prices and the war in Iran.