Markets in Toronto alternated between gaining and losing in the early going of Christmas Eve, after a more-than-eventful month of December.
The S&P/TSX composite index dropped 15.83 points to open the last partial session before Christmas at 14,578.20, this after a 161-point surge Tuesday.
The Canadian dollar gave back 0.09 cents to 86 cents U.S.
Sessions on both sides of the border will close around 1 p.m. ET, and remain shuttered Christmas Day, with the Toronto market remaining shut for Boxing Day.
The Canadian dollar gained 0.15 cents to 86.24 cents U.S. early Wednesday.
Manulife Financial's U.S. unit will buy New York Life Insurance's retirement services business for an undisclosed amount. Manulife shares dipped two cents to $22.39.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange lost 6.54 points to 670.91
All but three of the 14 Toronto subgroups began the day higher, with gold moving 0.9% higher, materials better by 0.6%, and industrials up 0.3%
The three laggards were energy, shedding 1.1%, global base metals, down 0.2%, and the metals and mining group, off 0.04%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks climbed on Wednesday, with the Dow furthering its record climb a day after its first trip above 18,000.
The Dow Jones Industrials added 43.28 points to 18,067.45, with Visa leading blue-chip gains that included 19 of 30 components.
The S&P 500 gained 3.18 points to 2,085.35, with utilities leading sector gains and energy losses among its 10 major industry groups.
The NASDAQ index regained 16.12 points to 4,781.54.
Achillion Pharmaceuticals rose after Tuesday's 24% drop as biotechnology shares were hit by worries insurers and drug-benefit managers might try to restrict drug costs; Cal-Maine Foods fell after the egg producer reported quarterly earnings short of estimates.
Wednesday's data showed fewer Americans than forecast filed for unemployment benefits last week, with the U.S. Labor Department reporting jobless claims fell by 9,000 to 280,000 last week. The four-week moving average dropped to 290,250 last week from 298,750.
Prices for 10-year U.S. Treasuries fell, raising yields to 2.29% from Tuesday’s 2.26%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices dropped $1.56 per barrel to $55.56 U.S.
Gold prices toppled $4.50 an ounce at $1,173.50 U.S.
