Equities in Toronto faded back from recent heights, as weakness in tech and resource stocks weighed most heavily on the index.
The TSX Composite Index slid 117.55 points to observe noon hour EDT Thursday at 23,004.18.
The Canadian dollar gave back 0.12 cents to 73.49 cents U.S.
Investors geared up for bank earnings, started by Toronto-Dominion Bank that reported a quarterly loss. TD shares retreated $2.64, or 3.3%, early Thursday afternoon to $78.64.
Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City shut down their rail networks in the country and locked out about 10,000 workers after labor talks with the Teamsters union failed. Shares in CN recovered 30 cents to $155.58, while those in CP lost 24 cents to $108.28.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange fell back 6.39 points, or 1.1%, to 571.44.
All but two of the 12 TSX subgroups were down midday, with gold fading 1.8%, materials sliding 1.6%, and information technology, wallowed 0.7%.
The lone gainers were energy and communications, each ahead 0.2%.
ON WALLSTREET
The S&P 500 pulled back on Thursday, giving up some ground after a recent rally as investors readied for commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell anticipated later this week.
The Dow Jones Industrial index dropped 155.6 points midday to 40,734.89.
The much-broader index dumped 31.52 points to 5,589.33.
The NASDAQ caved 179.45 points, or 1%, to 17,739.54.
Market participants are turning their attention to Powell’s expected speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on Friday, hoping for further insight into rate policy. Traders are currently pricing in a 100% chance of a decrease to borrowing costs next month, but they are divided when it comes to how large the reduction will be.
Despite some choppiness, the three major indexes are all on pace to finish the week higher. The NASDAQ Composite has gained 1.6%, and S&P 500 have added about 1.2%. The Dow has risen 0.4%.
In corporate news, software company Snowflake dropped 13% even after it beat quarterly expectations and slightly raised its full-year product revenue guidance. Urban Outfitters slid 8% after the retailer’s same-store sales in the second quarter disappointed analysts.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury lost strength, raising yields to 3.85% from Wednesday’s 3.80%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices picked up $1.20 at $73.13 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices sagged $30.30 to $2,517.20.
