Undoing a bump from the previous session, Canada’s main stock index declined on Wednesday as escalating tensions in the Middle East weakened optimism about a potential peace agreement and weighed on global investor confidence. Meanwhile, Federal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc noted that Canada had a constructive discussion with the United States regarding the review of their free trade agreement during meetings in Washington on Tuesday, though he offered limited specifics. Prime Minister Mark Carney also indicated that the Liberal government plans to introduce legislation targeting forced labour in supply chains soon, following the Trump administration’s proposal to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on Canada and other nations after an investigation into the matter.
US markets likewise moved lower on Wednesday, pressured by rising oil prices and increasing Treasury yields under concerns that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could continue to drive inflation higher. Shares of US private equity firms were particularly weak, declining after Swiss-based Partners Group revealed it would limit investor withdrawals from one of its funds.
| TSX | 34,801.54 | -367.92 |  |
| TSXV | 1,005.20 | -27.90 | |
| CSE | 176.09 | -4.19 | |
| DJIA | 50,687.07 | -620.72 | |
| NASDAQ | 26,853.98 | -239.93 | |
| S&P 500 | 7,553.68 | -56.10 | |
The Canadian dollar traded for 71.96 cents US compared to 72.26 cents US on Tuesday.
US crude futures traded US$2.30 higher at US$96.06 a barrel, and the Brent contract rose US$1.94 to US$97.94 a barrel.
The price of gold was down US$47.01 to US$4,443.30.
In world markets, the Nikkei was up 1,667.89 points to ¥68,402.13, the Hang Seng was down 405.11 points to HK$25,633.21, the FTSE was down 41.21 points to ₤10,332.30, and the DAX was down 328.23 points to €24,795.94.
