Canada's main stock index was lower shortly after the open on Thursday, as energy stocks took a hit from lower crude prices.
The S&P/TSX composite index tumbled 103.87 points to open Thursday at 15,347.
The Canadian dollar gained 0.35 cents to 81.69 cents U.S.
Energy stocks trailed, as Imperial Oil dipped 78 cents, or 1.4%, to $54.20.
Metals stocks also ailed, as HudBay Minerals sank 42 cents, or 3.9%, to $10.36
Among health-care issues, Extendicare moved higher six cents, or 0.8%, to $7.78.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 0.22 points to 705.47
All but three of the 14 Toronto subgroups were lower to begin trading, as energy was lower 1%, global base metals trailed 0.5%, and metals and mining demurred 0.4%.
The three gainers were utilities, up 0.3%, health-care, ahead 0.2%, and materials were up 0.1%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks traded mostly lower on Thursday, following a decline in European equities, as investors digested domestic data and eyed renewed concerns about Greece.
The Dow Jones Industrials slipped 43.59 points to 18,069.02.
The S&P 500 index dropped 3.79 points to 2,102.84.
The NASDAQ index moved down 3.75 points to 5,007.27.
Following a slew of major financial earnings before the bell, American Express is expected to post results after the close.
Citigroup posted earnings per share that beat on revenues that missed expectations.
Goldman Sachs handily beat expectations on both earnings per share and revenue, helped by a burst of trading activity in January when the Swiss central bank removed a cap on the franc. The investment bank also raised its quarterly dividend to 65 cents U.S. per share from 60 cents U.S.
BlackRock reported an 8.7% rise in first-quarter profit, boosted by strong flows into its exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The asset manager saw net income rise to $822 million U.S. in the first quarter, up from $756 million U.S. a year earlier.
UnitedHealth earned $1.46 U.S. per share for its latest quarter, 11 cents U.S. above estimates, with revenue also beating Street expectations. The insurer also raised its 2015 earnings forecast, following stronger business growth during the first quarter.
U.S. March housing starts showed a 0.926 million unit rate, below expectations but above February's 0.908 million unit rate.
The usual weekly initial jobless claims came in at 294,000, above expectations and a slight increase from the prior week.
Prices for 10-year U.S. Treasuries faded, raising yields to 1.92% from Wednesday’s 1.89%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices fell 95 cents to $55.44 U.S.
Gold prices gained $2.60 to $1,203.90 U.S.
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