Equities in Toronto ended Monday pretty much the way they began, as health-care gains about made up for what gold and material stocks lost.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index was barely in the red 3.54 points to conclude Monday at 15,316.02
The Canadian dollar dropped 0.07 cents to 75.48 cents U.S.
Gold miners were the most influential decliners on the index as gold prices sank to near six-week lows. Kinross Gold lost two cents to $5.60, while Goldcorp demurred 15 cents to $18.14.
Among materials, Lundin Mining slid six cents to $7.24, while Agnico Eagle Mines darted 76 cents, or 1.2%, lower to $62.67.
In the energy field, Suncor balked 40 cents, or just over 1%, to $38.12, while Canadian Natural Resources gave back 20 cents to $37.60.
Health-care rallied, with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International surging $1.67, or nearly 8% to $22.60, and hitting its highest point since Jan. 10.
Shares had jumped last week after billionaire investor John Paulson joined the company's board. Elsewhere, Concordia International added a cent to $1.72.
Consumer staples surged, with Restaurant Brands taking on 41 cents to $82.82, while Loblaw Companies added 12 cents to $73.14.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange dropped 5.34 points to 771.91
Seven of the 12 TSX subgroups were lower to end the session, with gold sliding 0.8%, materials down 0.5%, and energy moving lower 0.4%
The five gainers were led by health-care, sprinting 2.6%, consumer staples up 1.1%, and consumer discretionary stocks up 0.9%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. equities closed mixed on Monday as a rise in the financials sector helped offset losses from large-cap technology stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrials came off its highs of the day, remaining positive 14.97 points to finish at 21,409.55, snapping a five-day losing streak, with Goldman Sachs contributing the most gains.
The S&P 500 stayed afloat 0.77 points to 2,439.07, with utilities, telecommunications and financials leading advancers.
The NASDAQ had surrendered 18.1 points to 6,247.15, as Facebook, Amazon and Alphabet gave up initial gains to close lower.
Technology stocks rebounded last week from a two-week swoon, rising 2.3%. The sector has been the stalwart of the U.S. stock market this year, advancing more than 20%.
Bank stocks also displayed some muscle, as shares of Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase all rose.
Wall Street also monitored Washington as President Donald Trump was set to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time. The two leaders are expected to discuss immigration and a visa program that lets Indian IT talent work in the U.S.
In economic news, durable goods fell 1.1% in May, more than the expected 0.6% drop.
Prices for the benchmark 10-year Treasury note lost some strength, upping yields to Friday’s 2.14%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices recovered 44 cents to $43.45 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices sank $11.40 to $1,245.00 U.S. an ounce.
