U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
The S&P/TSX index futures were up 0.3% on Tuesday morning, as investors awaited the Bank of Canada’s monetary policy meeting on Wednesday and the fourth-quarter results of Canadian National Railway later in the day.
The materials sector, which accounts for about 10% of the index, was set to gain from higher gold and copper prices, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and hopes of more stimulus from China, the top consumer of metals.
Gold prices rebounded from a two-week low hit on Monday, while copper and other industrial metals advanced on expectations that Beijing would announce more measures to boost its economy, which has been hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
Oil prices, however, eased slightly as traders weighed the geopolitical risks in several regions, such as Iran, Iraq, and Libya, with the supply disruptions in the U.S. and the resumption of production in Libya.
The focus of the market was on the Bank of Canada’s meeting on Wednesday, where the central bank is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged at 5%, but also signal its stance on future rate cuts.
Money market participants are now pricing in a 22.4% chance of a rate cut in March and a 50.2% chance in April, according to Citigroup analysts.
“We expect an overall hawkish meeting, with officials emphasizing a commitment to 2% inflation and pushing back on expectations for imminent rate cuts, but also expressing more confidence than in previous meetings that rates are appropriately restrictive,” they said in a note.
The Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index ended up 17.78 points, or 0.1%, at 20,924.30 on Monday, boosted by gains in financials and real estate.
Meanwhile, railroad operator Canadian National Railway is expected to report its fourth-quarter results later in the day, which could provide some insight into the impact of the ongoing rail blockades by indigenous protesters.
Wood products firm West Fraser announced the closure of its Fraser Lake sawmill, which is expected to affect 175 employees and the company’s production capacity.
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