Equities in Toronto struggled to within a few points of the breakeven level Thursday, on suspense over what surprises economic reports may have in store on both sides of the border.
The S&P/TSX Composite faded 11.3 points to conclude Thursday at 14,583.42, after spending much of the day in the green.
The Canadian dollar retreated 0.08 cents to 74.67 cents U.S.
Health-care stocks suffered the worst negative readings of the day, as Valeant Pharmaceuticals stumbled $2.48, or 8.8%, to $25.86, while rival Concordia International slipped 26 cents, or 5.6%, to $4.37.
Among utilities, Fortis Inc. deducted 36 cents to $42.78, while Hydro One fell 25 cents, or 1%, to $23.96.
Energy stocks moved lower, as Canadian Natural Resources surrendered $1.25, or 3%, to $40.94, while Suncor lost 18 cents to $39.55.
The gold sector led sectors that gained, held up by Kinross Gold, surging 46 cents, or 8.9%, to $5.65, while Iamgold Corporation perked 27 cents, or 5.1%, to $5.57.
Among materials, Teck Resources sprang to life 60 cents, or 2.2%, to $28.23.
In the financial world, Manulife gained 16 cents to $19.14, while Scotiabank took on 31 cents to $71.62.
Friday looks like to a busy day in the macroeconomic world, mostly with employment numbers for October due out around 8:30 a.m. ET (Remember also that the clocks turn back on the weekend, as much of the nation returns to Standard Time).
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange sank 9.15 points, or 1.2%, to 760.96.
Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups ended the day lower, with health-care plummeting 4.1%, utilities, down 1%, and energy, sliding 0.9%.
The four gainers were led by gold, soaring 1.4%, materials, accumulating 0.9%, and financials, eking up 0.1%
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks closed lower on Thursday, with information technology led decliners, as concerns over the presidential election lingered.
The Dow Jones Industrials dropped 27.53 points to close at 17,932.11, with Pfizer leading decliners and Disney the top advancer.
The S&P 500 fell 9.28 points at 2,088.66, with information technology leading seven sectors lower and energy the top advancers.
The NASDAQ composite index subtracted 47.16 points to 5,058.41
On the earnings front, Chesapeake was among the firms reporting results before the bell. Social media giant Facebook posted better-than-expected results Wednesday after the close. Even so, the stock fell 5.7% Thursday
Recent data points to earnings being not as good as they were in previous weeks. Entering Monday, 73% of the 289 S&P components that posted results had exceeded bottom-line estimates, whereas just 66% of the 104 components reporting this week have beaten expectations.
Initial U.S. jobless claims came in at 265,000, above a consensus estimate of 258,000. Also, the preliminary read on third-quarter productivity showed an increase of 3.1%, well above the expected rise of 2%.
Other data released Thursday included the Institute for Supply Management non-manufacturing index for October, which came in below expectations. Factory orders, meanwhile, rose for a third straight month.
Investors were also waiting on the October jobs report, scheduled for release Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET. Economists expect the U.S. economy to have added 175,000 jobs last month.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury sagged, raising yields to 1.81% from Wednesday’s 1.8%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices sank 69 cents to $44.65 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices fell $4.10 to $1,304.10 U.S. an ounce.
