Market Open logo. (Source: Stockhouse. Edited with Google Gemini)

The TSX is up 0.59%, while the TSX Venture Index is up 0.90%, as Canadian markets climb even as global equities sell off sharply on intensifying strikes between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

South of the border, the S&P 500 is down 1.47%, the Dow has plunged 1.76%, and the Nasdaq is lower by 1.49% as investors dump growth and cyclicals while bracing for further escalation in the conflict. London’s FTSE 100 is down more than 3%, underscoring a broad risk‑off tone.

Commodities are at the center of the move. Oil is surging, with U.S. crude up more than 9% as supply fears mount and traders digest headlines about major refineries and fields going offline across the Middle East.

Gold is down more than 3.5% as a stronger U.S. dollar offsets geopolitical risk premiums, copper is off more than 2%, and natural gas has jumped nearly 5% on the same energy‑security concerns. Bitcoin remains volatile, sliding about 2% in Canadian‑dollar terms as crypto traders struggle for direction amid war‑driven swings.

Market numbers

TSX: Up (+0.59%), 34,541.27

TSXV: Up (+0.90%), 1,117.60

DOW: Down (‑1.76%), 48,011.2

NASDAQ: Down (‑1.49%), 24,562.1

FTSE 100: Down (‑3.12%), 10,452.85

In the headlines

  • RBC tilts Canadian portfolio toward BCE: Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) — the country’s largest bank with a dominant retail, wealth, and capital‑markets franchise — added BCE (TSX:BCE) and cut Telus (TSX:T) in its Canadian model portfolio as it leans more heavily into gold exposure and defensive positions. Strategists highlighted BCE’s scale and yield as attractive in a higher‑risk environment.
  • Pet Valu lifts profit and dividend: Pet Valu (TSX:PET) — Canada’s leading specialty pet‑food and pet‑care retailer — reported fourth‑quarter profit above last year’s level and announced a dividend increase. The company pointed to higher same‑store sales and continued network expansion as key drivers of the stronger results.

Currencies

USD: Down (‑0.22%), $0.7290

GBP: Up (+0.57%), $0.5480

EUR: Up (‑0.72%), $0.62992

JPY: Up (+1.11%), ¥115.168

AUD: Up (+1.14%), $1.0417

Bitcoin (BTC/CAD): Down (‑2.00%), 92,140.1

(Conversion to C$1)

Commodities

Copper: Down (‑2.39%), 5.82487

Gold: Down (‑3.60%), 5,130.21

WTI: Up (+9.28%), 77.59

Natural Gas: Up (+4.95%), 3.180

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