FX.co ★ TSX Near Flat as Trade Tensions Weigh

The S&P/TSX Composite Index hovered around 35,500 on Tuesday, little changed on the day, as investors digested muted GDP figures and the implementation of a new U.S. ban on several Canadian imports.

Advance estimates indicated that real GDP rose 0.2% in August, driven by gains in mining and quarrying as well as retail trade, which were partly offset by weaker oil and gas extraction. Output was essentially flat in July.

The U.S. import ban, which targets a range of Canadian products including numerous alcoholic beverages and dairy items, also came into effect. Shares of Saputo and Nutrien edged lower in response.

Oil prices retreated as U.S. and Iranian officials pursued separate talks via intermediaries, pressuring energy stocks; Canadian Natural Resources and Suncor each slipped about 1%. Miners remained soft after Monday’s selloff, despite a further rise in gold prices.

The major banks also traded mostly below the flatline, even as the pause in the oil rally eased some concerns over energy-driven inflation pressures.