Canada's main stock index was in retreat on Monday, with heavyweight metals and banking stocks among the worst performers as data from Japan and New York disappointed.
The S&P/TSX composite index dipped 56.07 points to wind into noon hour ET at 14,221.81
The Canadian dollar was unchanged at 76.36 cents U.S.
The most influential movers on the index were Royal Bank of Canada, which fell 1.2% to $75.05, and Toronto-Dominion Bank, which declined 0.9% to $51.43. Bank of Nova Scotia lost 1% to $60.85, and the overall financials group retreated 1%
Gold miners were among the strongest gainers, with Goldcorp Inc up 2.5% to $19.14 and Barrick Gold Corp advanced 1.9% to $10.26.
In the economic arena, Statistics Canada reported foreign investors added $8.5 billion of Canadian securities to their holdings in June, following a $5.5-billion divestment in May. At the same time, Canadian investors acquired $8.6 billion of foreign securities, all non-U.S. instruments.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture fell 2.02 points to 571.19.
All but two of the 14 TSX subgroups were lower by noon, as metals and mining moved back 2.2%, global base metals dipped 1.2%, and financials eased 1.1%.
The two gainers remained gold, up 3.3%, and materials, notching higher by 1.8%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks traded higher on Monday after the release of positive homebuilder data as investors digested weak manufacturing data and falling oil prices while eyeing the release of the Federal Reserve's minutes.
The Dow Jones industrial average recovered 39.82 points to 17,517.22, led higher by Walt Disney and Chevron leading decliners.
The S&P 500 inched higher 3.96 points to 2,095.50, with utilities leading eight sectors higher and financials and consumer staples lagging.
The NASDAQ index regained 15.66 points to 5,063.89.
In corporate news, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos responded to Saturday's New York Times story about the company's workplace culture, saying the Amazon described in the newspaper's story was not an accurate depiction of it.
Cosmetics maker Estee Lauder posted mixed earnings results, beating on earnings per share but missing on revenue citing "macroeconomic headwinds and challenges."
Companies reporting after the bell include Urban Outfitters and Agilent.
Walt Disney said it would be adding Star Wars-themed lands to its Disnelyland and Disney World parks during its D23 expo.
Universal Pictures continued its highly successful year as "Straight Outta Compton" led the weekend box office with over $56 million in U.S. ticket sales.
Target also announced that Chief Financial Officer John Mulligan would move to the newly created Chief Operating Officer position.
Economically speaking, The National Association of Home Builders index rose one point to 61, its highest level since November 2005.
The New York Fed said that manufacturing activity for the state fell from 3.86 in July to -14.92 in August, its lowest since April 2009.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected the index to rise to five this month. A reading above zero indicates expansion.
Prices for 10-year U.S. Treasuries gained, weighing yields to 2.16% from Friday’s 2.20%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices slid 40 cents a barrel to $42.10 U.S.
Gold prices added eight dollars to $1,120.70 U.S. an ounce.
