Canada’s main stock index dropped on Wednesday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran unsettled investors and pushed oil prices higher, raising concerns about inflation. Energy stocks led gains on the TSX as crude prices climbed.
US markets turned sharply lower after US President Donald Trump stated at the NATO summit in Turkey that the ceasefire with Iran was “over,” citing renewed hostilities in the Middle East. The comments intensified geopolitical concerns and sent oil prices surging.
| TSX | 34,935.80 | -336.79 |  |
| TSXV | 886.58 | -6.54 | |
| CSE | 158.22 | -1.12 | |
| DJIA | 52,348.39 | -576.76 | |
| NASDAQ | 25,870.65 | +51.96 |  |
| S&P 500 | 7,482.71 | -21.14 | |
The Canadian dollar traded for 70.59 cents US compared to 70.45 cents US on Tuesday.
US crude futures traded US$3.26 higher at US$73.70 a barrel, and the Brent contract rose US$4.03 to US$78.19 a barrel.
The price of gold was down US$75.48 to US$4,071.07.
In world markets, the Nikkei was down 1,437.91 points to ¥66,819.05, the Hang Seng was up 702.57 points to HK$24,199.46, the FTSE was down 176.84 points to ₤10,489.04, and the DAX was down 567.80 points to €25,897.45.