The TSX is up 0.16%, while the TSX Venture Index is down 0.11%, as Canadian markets trade mixed amid escalating geopolitical risk and renewed volatility in energy prices. U.S. markets are weaker, with the Dow down 0.46% and the Nasdaq lower by 0.18%, even as tech futures showed resilience earlier in the session. Investors are balancing surging oil prices—now near four‑year highs—with central‑bank risk, as both the Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada are expected to hold rates steady this week.
Commodities remain the dominant macro driver. Oil jumped again following attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure and ongoing uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, while gold fell sharply, down nearly 3%, as a stronger U.S. dollar offset safe‑haven demand.
Copper slid more than 3%, reflecting global growth concerns, while natural gas climbed nearly 4%. Bitcoin dropped almost 2% in Canadian‑dollar terms after briefly topping US$72,000, as crypto traders reacted to heightened Middle East tensions.
Market numbers
TSX: Up (+0.16%), 32,929.09
TSXV: Down (‑0.11%), 1,011.06
DOW: Down (‑0.46%), 46,792.0
NASDAQ: Down (‑0.18%), 24,729.2
FTSE 100: Down (‑0.36%), 10,334.27
In the headlines
- Lululemon tumbles after guidance disappoints: Lululemon Athletica (NDAQ:LULU), the premium athletic‑apparel and lifestyle brand, saw its shares slide after issuing forward guidance that fell short of market expectations. While demand remains steady, investors focused on margin pressure and slower growth outlooks in a more competitive retail environment.
- Micron earnings face elevated expectations: Micron Technology (NDAQ:MU), the U.S. semiconductor manufacturer specializing in memory and storage chips, is heading into earnings with its stock near recent highs. Investors are watching closely for updates on pricing power and AI‑driven demand as expectations remain elevated across the chip sector.
Currencies
USD: Down (‑0.21%), $0.7284
GBP: Up (+0.11%), $0.5473
EUR: Up (+0.08%), $0.63350
JPY: Up (+0.10%), ¥116.260
AUD: Up (+0.47%), $1.0331
Bitcoin (BTC/CAD): Down (‑1.92%), 99,348.3
(Conversion to C$1)
Commodities
Copper: Down (‑3.48%), 5.58273
Gold: Down (‑2.93%), 4,858.90
WTI: Up (+1.40%), 91.97
Natural Gas: Up (+3.87%), 3.060
To stay up-to-date on all of your market news head to Stockhouse.com.
Join the discussion: Find out what everybody’s saying about LuluLemon and Micron Technology for March 18th, 2026, on Stockhouse’s stock forums and message boards.
Stockhouse does not provide investment advice or recommendations. All investment decisions should be made based on your own research and consultation with a registered investment professional. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
