Futures linked to Canada's main stock index inched down in low-volume trading on Wednesday, as investors took a breather after the benchmark hit a six-week high in the previous session on optimism over the resumption of Middle East peace talks.
The TSX Composite Index gained 223.12 points to close Tuesday at 34,102.36.
June futures ducked 0.2% Wednesday.
The Canadian dollar eked downward 0.07 cents to 72.58 cents U.S.
On the economic beat, Statistics Canada reports wholesale sales rose 2.0% in February.
Manufacturing sales increased 3.6% in February, driven largely by higher sales of transportation equipment, machinery, and primary metals.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange rocketed 17.33 points, or 1.7%, Tuesday to 1,040.01.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stock futures were little changed on Wednesday as the S&P 500 ended the previous session less than 1% from its all-time high.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials dipped 39 points, or 0.1%, to 48,716
Futures for the broader demurred 0.25 points to 7,004.50.
Futures for the NASDAQ dropped four points to 25,992.75.
The S&P 500 is nearing its all-time high of 7,002.28, reached on Jan. 28. Tuesday marked the index’s ninth positive session in 10, while the technology-heavy NASDAQ also posted its 10th straight session of gains.
The S&P 500's Monday advance erased its losses dating back to when the Iran conflict began in late February.
On Tuesday, a White House official told reporters that a second round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran is under discussion, though nothing has been officially scheduled yet.
Bank of America shares gained more than 1% after the banking giant posted better-than-expected results for the first quarter.
Snap shares popped more than 5% after the Snapchat parent announced plans to lay off up to 16% of its workforce. The company said it’s trying to reallocate resources toward growing net income profitability, among other initiatives.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.4% Wednesday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng acquired 0.3%
Oil prices advanced $1.32 to $92.60 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices fell $27.00 to $4,823.10 U.S an ounce.
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