Canada's main stock index was trading flat on Thursday, as U.S.-China trade jitters resurfaced after U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a bill supporting protesters in Hong Kong, drawing sharp rebuke from Beijing.
The TSX Composite Index had regained 15.58 points to greet noon on a slow day at 17,116.15
The Canadian dollar gave up 0.01 cents to 75.26 cents U.S.
The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Aurora Cannabis, gaining eight cents, or 2.4%, to $3.44, and Canopy Growth Co, which jumped 75 cents, or 3%, to $25.75
Ballard Power fell 18 cents, or 2%, to $8.96, while Meg Energy, down 16 cents, or 2.9%, to $5.43..
On the economic calendar, Statistics Canada reported that average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees were $1,042 in September, up 0.9% from August.
Compared with September 2018, earnings grew by 4.0%, continuing an upward trend observed since March.
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 subtracted 0.1% Thursday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index fell back 0.2%.
Oil prices were off 30 cents at $58.11 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices handed back $1.52 to $1,455.17 U.S. an ounce.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange sank 1.63 points by Thursday noon to 532.18
Seven of the 12 Toronto subgroups had added muscle midday, with health-care ahead 1.8%, gold up 0.7%, and materials surging 0.6%,
The five laggards were weighed most by energy, real-estate and consumer discretionary, each down 0.3%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. markets are shuttered for the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. They will return Friday for a partial session.
