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

The TSX is down 0.45% while the TSX Venture Index is down 1.23%, as Canadian markets continue to face selling pressure tied to surging oil prices and deepening geopolitical instability across global shipping lanes. U.S. equity futures weakened before the open as crude briefly spiked back above US$100, with the Dow falling 0.83% and the FTSE 100 down 0.36%. The Nasdaq managed to stabilize, rising 0.01%, as traders selectively re‑entered AI‑linked names despite broader risk aversion.

Energy markets remain the central force driving sentiment. Crude rose more than 2.5% after multiple shipping attacks escalated conflict‑driven supply fears, while natural gas slipped nearly 1%. Gold held almost flat, dipping just 0.01% as the U.S. dollar remained firm, and copper pulled back following a volatile start to the week. Bitcoin edged slightly higher, up 0.06% in CAD terms, though crypto traders remain cautious in the face of fresh war‑related market jitters.

Market numbers

TSX: Down (‑0.45%), 33,119.83

TSXV: Down (‑1.23%), 1,076.16

DOW: Down (‑0.83%), 46,957.9

NASDAQ: Up (+0.01%), 24,771.7

FTSE 100: Down (‑0.36%), 10,302.02

In the headlines

  • Nebius rallies on US$2B Nvidia investment: Nebius (NDAQ:NBIS) — an AI cloud‑infrastructure platform focused on high‑performance compute — surged 16% after Nvidia injected US$2 billion into its Neocloud division. The deal strengthens Nebius’s AI hardware capacity and deepens its connection to Nvidia’s expanding data‑center ecosystem.
  • Empire posts Q3 loss despite stronger sales: Empire Company (TSX:EMP.A) — the owner of Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, IGA, and Voilà — reported a $385‑million third‑quarter loss, driven by impairment and restructuring charges linked to digital modernization. Sales rose year‑over‑year, supported by continued consumer demand across its grocery banners.

Currencies

USD: Down (‑0.10%), $0.7347

GBP: Up (+0.13%), $0.5489

EUR: Up (+0.19%), $0.63732

JPY: Down (‑0.09%), ¥116.856

AUD: Up (+0.35%), $1.0320

Bitcoin (BTC/CAD): Up (+0.06%), 95,659.5

(Conversion to C$1)

Commodities

Copper: Down (‑0.55%), 5.88856

Gold: Down (‑0.01%), 5,176.16

WTI Crude: Up (+2.56%), 88.20

Natural Gas: Down (‑0.89%), 3.229

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 Nebius and Empire for March 12th, 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.


More From The Market Online

Iran conflict highlights play to reshape iron ore pellet supply

The US-Israel and Iran conflict has sent global markets reeling, emphasizing the need for the West to boost iron ore pellet production.

The 2026 buildout that turns a resource into a platform

U.S. Energy Corp. (NASDAQ:USEG) is a company undergoing a strategic transformation, where that transformation becomes visible.

GURU Organic Energy zooms through record Q1

GURU Organic Energy (TSX:GURU) delivers record Q1 revenue, paired with its third-straight quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA.

Beyond Meat faces delisting as it flips the brand

Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND) received a NASDAQ delisting warning after its share price stayed below US$1 for 30 straight business days, giving the company until…