TSX Flat at Outset

Equities in Canada’s largest centre opened flat on Tuesday as gains from softer consumer prices data were offset by losses in energy shares.

The TSX Composite Index inched ahead 5.21 points, to begin Tuesday at 23,121.60.

The Canadian dollar removed 0.03 cents to 73.35 cents U.S.

In corporate news, Neo Performance Materials has agreed to sell majority equity interest of China rare earth separation assets for $30 million. Neo shares ballooned 44 cents, or 5.8%, to $8.04.

On the economic calendar, Statistics Canada says July’s consumer price index rose 2.5% on a year-over-year basis, down from a 2.7% increase in June. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the CPI rose 0.3% in July.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange nicked ahead 1.5 points, or 1.2%, to 574.53.

Seven of the 12 TSX subgroups were lower in the first hour, with energy tailing off 0.8%, communications losing 0.4%, and information technology down 0.3%.

The five gainers were led by gold, up 1.5%, materials, forging ahead 1.1%, and real-estate, moving up 0.2%.

ON WALLSTREET

Stocks gyrated Tuesday as investors struggled to continue building on a recovery rally.

The Dow Jones Industrial index backed off 25.51 points to kick off Tuesday at 40,871.02

The S&P 500 index eased 8.55 points to 5,599.76.

The NASDAQ faded 70.27 points to 17,806.51.

Tuesday’s action comes on the heels of the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite posting their eighth straight positive sessions. That marks a first for both since late 2023.

Cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks jumped nearly 7% after fiscal fourth quarter results topped analyst estimates and it set a $500 million stock buyback. Home improvement retailer Lowe’s dipped 0.6% after reporting worse-than-expected revenue and lowering its annual profit outlook, noting an expected slowdown in consumer spending.

Beyond earnings, Bank of America slipped almost 2% as Warren Buffett’s conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway continued dumping shares.

Prices for the 10-year Treasury gained ground, lowering yields to 3.83% from Monday’s 3.88%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices regained 33 cents at $74.70 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices sprinted $21.40 to $2,562.70.

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