Canada’s main stock market index was largely unchanged on Monday as investors reacted to stronger-than-expected inflation data and continued developments in the Iran conflict. According to Statistics Canada, annual inflation accelerated to 3.0 per cent in July from 2.8 per cent in June, while seasonally adjusted consumer prices rose 0.3 per cent from the previous month. At the same time, Federal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada and the US are still not close to a draft trade agreement, despite frequent negotiations.
Iran called on the US to concede defeat over the weekend, while President Donald Trump criticized Tehran and cautioned that fuel prices could remain elevated as the conflict drags on. Oil prices edged higher after a senior Iranian official indicated that Iran may shift to a more offensive strategy if diplomatic talks with the US break down.
| TSX | 36,667.92 | -62.35 |  |
| TSXV | 964.16 | -6.01 | |
| CSE | 169.23 | +1.77 |  |
| DJIA | 53,459.78 | -272.63 | |
| NASDAQ | 26,644.91 | -84.25 | |
| S&P 500 | 7,745.06 | -40.70 | |
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.08 cents US compared to 72.04 cents US on Friday.
US crude futures traded US$2.28 higher at US$84.68 a barrel, and the Brent contract rose US$2.48 to US$91.00 a barrel.
The price of gold was up US$42.63 to US$4,419.62.
In world markets, the Nikkei was up 506.45 points to ¥69,220.25, the Hang Seng was up 336.38 points to HK$25,453.23, the FTSE was down 29.81 points to ₤10,720.30, and the DAX was down 101.70 points to €26,338.61.
