Canada's energy-heavy main stock index were still below breakeven by noon Monday, although technology stocks tracked gains in the U.S. tech-heavy NASDAQ to an all-time high.
The TSX Composite Index had climbed to within 13.83 points of breakeven by midday Monday at 20,630.81.
The Canadian dollar grabbed 0.33 cents to 79.31 cents U.S.
Canadian Western Bank jumped 99 cents, or 2.7%, to $37.18, and Nuvei Corp, better by $1.05 to $162.34.
NFI Group fell $1.28, or 4.1%, the most on the TSX, to $30.26, after CIBC cut its rating on the stock to "neutral".
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange settled 0.51 points to 890.94.
Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups remained lower by noon hour, with gold giving back 1.6%, materials, down 1%, and energy trailing 0.7%.
The four gainers were led by information technology, up 1.3%, consumer staples, ahead 0.5%, and communications, better by 0.4%.
ON WALLSTREET
The S&P 500 set another record high on Monday as the market continued to rise in the final days of August.
The Dow Jones Industrials reversed courts and gained 13.64 points to reach lunch hour at 35,469.44.
The S&P 500 gained 22.88 points to 4,532.25, hitting a new record.
The NASDAQ Composite popped 126.7 points, to 15,256.20, also at a new all-time peak.
Key technology shares were higher in morning trading. Chipmakers AMD and Nvidia each moved higher by about 1%, while Microsoft rose 1.3%.
Shares of Affirm Holdings surged more than 40% after the buy now, pay later company announced a partnership with Amazon on Friday. Amazon’s stock rose about 2%.
Financial stocks weighed on the broader market, with Capital One shedding 4% and Wells Fargo losing 1.8%. Paypal, however, broke that trend and jumped more than 3% after reports that the company is exploring a stock-trading platform for its U.S. customers.
Monday and Tuesday mark the last two trading days of August. Thus far, the S&P 500 is up 2.6% in August. The Dow has gathered 1.5% this month and the NASDAQ has risen 3.1%.
Zoom Video is set to report earnings after the bell on Monday.
The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ closed at all-time highs on Friday as investors breathed a sigh of relief after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled bond tapering could start this year, but the central bank is in no rush to hike interest rates.
Powell said inflation is solidly around the central bank’s 2% target rate, one of the goals of the Fed’s dual mandate; however, the Fed chairman also explained why he continues to think the current inflation rise is transitory and will eventually drop to the target level.
Based on statements from other Fed officials, a tapering announcement could come as soon as the Fed’s Sept. 21-22 meeting. Powell said the central bank has “much ground to cover” to reach its other goal of maximum employment.
Stocks could stay largely range-bound until the release of August’s jobs report on Friday. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect 750,000 jobs were created in August and the unemployment rate fell to 5.2%.
Prices for 10-Year Treasurys were higher, lowering yields to 1.29% from Friday’s 1.30%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices regained seven cents to $68.81 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices staggered $4.90 to $1,816.90 U.S. an ounce.
