The S&P/TSX Composite Index slipped about 0.5% on Thursday, trading just below 36,500 as weakness in the banking and mining sectors weighed on the benchmark. Miners retreated alongside a sharp drop in gold prices, pressured by a stronger US dollar, expectations of further Federal Reserve tightening, and rising oil prices. Agnico Eagle fell nearly 3%, while Barrick and Wheaton Precious Metals each lost more than 1%. Franco-Nevada also edged lower after indicating that full-year earnings would come in around the midpoint of its earlier guidance, rather than in the upper half.
Bank stocks also moved lower as rebounding crude prices, amid escalating US–Iran tensions, stoked renewed inflation concerns and reinforced expectations that both the Bank of Canada and the Federal Reserve will maintain a restrictive policy stance. Scotiabank, TD Bank, and BMO each declined by around 0.5%.
In the technology sector, Shopify slipped more than 0.5% as the ongoing Nvidia-related turmoil heightened uncertainty across the space. In contrast, Celestica climbed nearly 5.5%, adding to an 8.4% rally in the previous session on the back of upbeat investor-day commentary and strong third-quarter results.