Canada's main stock index seesawed on Monday, ending below the breakeven line amid fears over a softening global economy.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index listed lower 23.47 points to end Monday at 16,065.86
The Canadian dollar resurfaced 0.12 cents at 74.60 cents U.S.
Gold stocks proved rulers of the subgroups, with Barrick Gold climbing 81 cents, or 4.4%, to $19.17, while Goldcorp added 41 cents, or 2.8%, to $14.92.
In the materials group, Agnico Eagle Mines captured $1.03, or 1.7%, to $60.50, while Stella-Jones inched up eight cents to $42.82.
In consumer staples, Restaurant Brands International increased in price 25 cents to $85.50, while George Weston grew $1.12, or 1.2%, to $96.37.
Energy stocks took some bruises, however, as Imperial Oil backpedaled 57 cents, or 1.6%, to $35.86, while Canadian Natural Resources fell 79 cents, or 2.1%, to $36.23.
In communications, Rogers faded $1.18, or 1.6%, to $71.52, while Shaw Communications handed back 10 cents to $27.61.
Financials’ fortunes also slid, as Royal Bank lost six cents to $102.07, while Scotiabank dipped 62 cents to $70.77.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange slumbered 5.28 points to 632.54
Eight of the 12 Toronto subgroups ended the session ahead, though, with gold shining 2.1% brighter, materials gained 1.3%, and consumer staples were better 1.2%
The four laggards were weighed most by energy, down 1.8%, communications, down 0.4%, and financials lost 0.3%.
ON WALLSTREET
The Dow Jones Industrial Average eked out a small gain on Monday after news that the special counsel found no collusion with Russia on the part of President Donald Trump. However, gains in the broader market were capped as worries over the global economy lingered.
The 30-stock index gained 14.51 points to close Monday at 25,516.83, as Boeing outperformed.
The S&P 500 dropped 2.35 points to 2,798.36, led lower by the financials and tech sectors.
The NASDAQ Composite finished negative 5.13 points to 7,637.54. The index also closed below 2,800 for the first time since March 12.
Caterpillar shares rose more than 1% on Monday. The stock is seen by investors as a bellwether for trade conditions.
Apple shares fell 1.2% as the tech giant held an event in which it announced services such as a new news app, a video streaming platform, its own credit card and a bundle of video games.
Boeing shares climbed 2.3% after the company said pilots from U.S. carriers were testing a software update for its 737 Max jet, its best-selling plane. Earlier this month, an Ethiopian Airlines flight operated with a 737 Max plane crashed. It was the second crash involving the plane in less than six months.
Wall Street also watched shares of Apple as the tech giant is expected to unveil a new streaming service at an event later in the day. By noon EDT, Apple shares had given back 74 cents to $190.31.
U.S. stock futures initially pointed to solid gains Sunday after Attorney General William Barr said special counsel Robert Mueller's long-awaited investigation did not find enough evidence that Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia.
Investors across the world worried the probe could also bring down Trump himself by potentially leading to his impeachment. Now, Wall Street can remove one block from the proverbial wall of worry and eye the ongoing U.S.-China trade talks.
China and the U.S. are expected to strike a deal sometime in April. Sentiment around the negotiations improved this year to help lift stocks to within striking distance of their record highs set last year.
Prices for the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury were up slightly, lowering yields to 2.41% from Friday’s 2.44%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices were off nine cents at $58.95 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices gained $9.90 to $1,322.20 U.S. an ounce.
