Markets mixed as oil surges over 6%. Gilead agrees to buy Tubulis, Universal Music jumps on a $64B takeover bid, gold edges higher and Bitcoin slips.
Markets mixed as oil surges over 6%. Gilead agrees to buy Tubulis, Universal Music jumps on a $64B takeover bid, gold edges higher and Bitcoin slips.

The TSX is up 0.22%, while the TSX Venture Index is higher by 0.42%, as Canadian markets hold modest gains despite a cautious global backdrop ahead of a key geopolitical deadline tied to Iran. U.S. markets are weaker, with the Dow down 0.45% and the Nasdaq off 0.29%, as investors digest renewed uncertainty around Middle East tensions and a pullback in mega‑cap technology stocks. London’s FTSE 100 is also lower, reflecting a broadly risk‑off tone across Europe.

Commodities are driving the macro narrative. Oil is surging more than 6% as crude holds near multi‑month highs amid supply concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Gold is edging higher as traders position defensively, while copper is slightly lower on growth worries. Natural gas is feeling strong upside pressure, and Bitcoin is sliding modestly in Canadian‑dollar terms as crypto traders turn more cautious ahead of geopolitical developments.

Market numbers

TSX: Up (+0.22%), 33,181.97

TSXV: Up (+0.42%), 981.51

DOW: Down (‑0.45%), 46,566.5

NASDAQ: Down (‑0.29%), 24,063.8

FTSE 100: Down (‑0.46%), 10,403.39

In the headlines

  • Gilead to acquire Tubulis in biotech deal: Gilead Sciences (NDAQ:GILD), the U.S. biopharmaceutical company known for its antiviral and oncology treatments, agreed to acquire German biotech Tubulis GmbH for up to $5 billion. The deal expands Gilead’s oncology pipeline, particularly in antibody‑drug conjugates.
  • Universal Music jumps on $64B takeover bid: Universal Music Group (PINL:UMGNF), the world’s largest music company representing artists across recorded music, publishing, and distribution, surged after reports of a $64‑billion takeover bid from Pershing Square. The move underscores renewed private‑equity interest in large media assets.

Currencies

USD: Down (‑0.06%), $0.7185

GBP: Down (‑0.12%), $0.5428

EUR: Down (‑0.22%), $0.62278

JPY: Up (+0.01%), ¥114.814

AUD: Down (‑0.31%), $1.0356

Bitcoin (BTC/CAD): Down (‑0.59%), 95,376.4

(Conversion to C$1)

Commodities

Copper: Down (‑0.21%), 554.82

Gold: Up (+0.20%), 4,659.92

WTI Crude: Up (+6.06%), 97.65

Natural Gas: Up (+2.43%), 2.862

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