Equities in Canada’s biggest centre sank slightly into the red, as lower commodity prices weighed on energy and mining stocks, while industrials also fell after one of the country's major railways said it expected revenue to decline due to lower volumes and a major wildfire.
The S&P/TSX Composite sank 2.82 points to close Tuesday at 14,012.32
The Canadian dollar dropped 0.06 cents to 78.03 cents U.S.
Gold stocks were the worst off on the day, as Kinross Gold faded 17 cents, or 2.7%, to $6.11, and Barrick Gold slipped 76 cents, or 3%, to $24.54
Industrials also suffered, as Canadian Pacific Railway slid $3.80, or 2.3%, to $159.30 after warning it expects revenue to fall about 12% in the second quarter from a year ago.
Rival Canadian National was also among the most influential decliners, falling 68 cents to $74.80.
First Quantum Minerals fell 12 cents, or 1.3% to $9.15 and Potash Corp lost 23 cents, or 1.1%, to $21.40.
The country's big banks boosted the index’s outlook, with Royal Bank of Canada edging up 61 cents to $78.62 and Brookfield Asset Management adding 83 cents, or 1.9%, to $44.14.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange moved lower 7.13 points to 708.27
Eight of the 13 subgroups were lower on the session, with gold down 2.3%, materials sinking 1.9%, and health-care falling 1.4%
The five gainers were led by financials, surging 0.7%, while energy and utilities each climbing 0.4%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks closed mildly higher Tuesday, amid declines in oil prices, as investors took notice of the latest Brexit polls and digested remarks from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.
The Dow Jones Industrials remained positive 24.86 points to finish the trading day at 17,829.73, with Microsoft leading advancers and Boeing the greatest decliner. Microsoft traded more than 2% higher.
The S&P 500 gained 5.65 points at 2,088.90. Tech was one of the leaders in the S&P 500 in afternoon trade, helped by gains of 3% in shares of Micron Technology.
The NASDAQ recovered 6.55 points to close at 4,843.76
The European Union referendum is set for Thursday in Britain. Ahead of that, Yellen kicked off her two-day testimony before Congress Tuesday morning before the Senate Banking Committee.
Yellen said a cautious approach to monetary policy remains appropriate and while the pace of improvement in the labour market has slowed, it's important not to overreact to one or two labour reports.
She added that a U.K. vote to leave the EU could have significant economic repercussions, noting "transitory" pressure on inflation.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury moved slightly lower, raising yields to 1.70% from Monday’s 1.67%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices shed 52 cents a barrel to $48.95 U.S.
Gold prices dropped $23.60 to $1,268.50 U.S. an ounce.
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