Markets in Canada’s largest centre opened a trifle higher on Monday following the seven-month lows at which they closed on Friday
The S&P/TSX Composite Index began Monday obtained 13.82 points to 15,040.98
The Canadian dollar moved lower 0.03 cents to 77.57 cents U.S.
Health-care stocks were in the driver’s seat, as Valeant Pharmaceuticals shot higher 74 cents, or 3.6%, to $21.61, although Canopy Growth handed back three cents to $7.77.
National Bank of Canada upped the rating on Liquor Stores NA to outperform from sector perform. Liquor Stores shares soared 16 cents, or 1.6%, to $10.13.
CIBC cut the rating on Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers to neutral from outperform. Ritchie shares tumbled $1.95, or 5.2%, to $35.51.
CIBC then raised the rating on SNC-Lavalin Group to outperform from neutral. SNC shares rocketed 73 cents, or 1.3%, to $57.47.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange dropped 0.81 points to open the week at 754.41.
All but one of the 12 TSX subgroups began the session higher, as health-care was haler 0.8%, while materials and information technology tallied 0.3%
The lone holdout was in financials, falling but 0.1%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks south of the border traded mixed on Monday as Wall Street got ready for the start of the latest earnings season.
The Dow Jones Industrials hesitated 2.37 points to start Monday at 21,4111.97, with UnitedHealth contributing the most losses.
The S&P 500 gained only 0.6 points to 2,425.78, with technology leading advancers, led by Nvidia and FLIR Systems. Financials, meanwhile, lagged.
The NASDAQ eked higher 2.42 points to 6,155.50, as technology stocks rose. Amazon's stock climbed in early trade as the company got set for its so-called Prime Day. Prime Day features big deals for Amazon's Prime customers.
But shares of Tesla fell 0.9%, capping gains on the tech-heavy index. The stock entered a bear market last week, trading more than 20% below its all-time high.
Tech stocks have been the best performers of 2017 thus far, with the sector rising 17%. But the sector has struggled over the past month, slipping 1.3%.
There are no major economic data due Monday. However, key inflation data — along with monthly retail sales — are due out at the end of the week. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is also scheduled to testify in front of Congress Wednesday and Thursday.
Prices for the benchmark 10-year Treasury note nicked higher, lowering yields to 2.38% from Friday’s 2.39%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices forfeited 10 cents to $44.13 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices lost 70 cents to $1,209.00 U.S. an ounce.
