Equity markets throughout North America were spooked Wednesday – the second-last trading day of 2015—by energy prices that were again on a downward slide.
The S&P/TSX composite index faltered 103.46 points to finish Wednesday at 13,142.29.
The Canadian dollar deducted 0.23 cents to 72.01 cents U.S.
Energy stocks led the selloff, as EnCana collapsed 3.2% to $6.71, and Suncor misfired 1.9% to $35.78.
Metals and mining stocks also lurched lower, with First Quantum Minerals plunging 5.8% to $5.20, while Teck Resources weakened 2% to $5.30.
Gold stocks plunged as Barrick Gold sank 2.3% to $10.25, and Goldcorp retreated 1.4% to $16.00
A beacon of hope shone in health-care where Valeant Pharmaceuticals improved 1.2% in price to $141.89.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 2.66 points to 520.86
All but two of the 13 TSX subgroups were negative on the day, with energy down 2.5%, metals and mining weakening 2%, and gold losing 1.4%
The two gainers were health-care, better by 0.7%, real-estate, up 0.03%
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks closed lower Wednesday in low volume trade as a decline in oil prices weighed.
The Dow Jones industrial average plummeted 117.11 points to 17,603.87, with Nike leading decliners and Wal-Mart the only gainer.
The S&P 500 lost 15 points to 2,063.36. Energy declined nearly 1.5% and materials closed down about 1% to lead all S&P 500 sectors lower.
The NASDAQ index dropped 42.09 points to 5,065.85. Apple closed 1.3% lower.
As of Wednesday's close, the S&P 500 was up 0.2% year-to-date, while the Dow was down 1.2% for the year so far. The NASDAQ was up nearly 7% for 2015.
Pending home sales fell 0.9% in November from an upwardly revised October reading, according to the National Association of Realtors.
WTI and Brent traded about 3% lower below $37 U.S. a barrel after weekly crude oil inventories unexpectedly showed a buildup by 2.6 million barrels.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury gained slightly, lowering yields to 2.29% from Tuesday’s 2.3%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices fell $1.17 a barrel to $36.70 U.S.
Gold prices slipped $8.31 to $1,060.80 U.S. an ounce.
