Canada’s main stock index hit its highest level in more than a month on Thursday as cooler-than-expected U.S. inflation data raised hopes that the Federal Reserve would start its long-awaited easing cycle in September.
The TSX Composite Index remained positive 101.39 points to 22,451.62.
The Canadian dollar sank 0.3 cents to 73.40 cents U.S.
In Canada, the 29-month rise in domestic unemployment numbers has amplified calls for another rate cut by the Bank of Canada in its next policy meeting on July 24.
In corporate news, International Battery Metals became the first company to produce lithium with a novel type of filtration technology commercially. International Battery Metals shares took flight 28 cents, or 25.2%, to $1.39.
MTY Food Group shares rose $4.31, or 10.1% to $47.01, topping the Toronto Stock Exchange after reporting a higher second-quarter profit.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange nicked up 2.93 points to 586.19.
All but two of the 12 TSX subgroups made gains midday, with real-estate hiking 2%, gold gaining 1.6%, and communications spiking 1.4%,
The two laggards proved to be information technology, down 0.5%. and consumer staples, off 0.3%.
ON WALLSTREET
The S&P 500 retreated from a record as investors rotated out of the big technology winners of the year like Nvidia, Microsoft and Meta. The catalyst for the move was the lowest CPI reading in more than three years, which sent rates lower and investors into small-caps and housing-related shares.
The Dow Jones Industrials stayed green 29.14 points to 39,750.50.
The much-broader index fell 48.89 points to 5,585.02, threatening its seven-session win streak.
The NASDAQ dropped 326.87 points to 18,320.58, from Wednesday’s all-time high.
The consumer price index fell 0.1% last month from May, bringing the annual inflation rate down to 3%. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected a 0.1% monthly increase and a 3.1% annual rate. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, came in at a 3.3% annual rate, also lower than economists expected.
Odds of a September rate cut rose to greater than 80% based on fed funds futures trading following the CPI data. Traders still see the Fed standing pat at its meeting later this month.
Housing-related shares such as Home Depot and D.R. Horton jumped on the hope lower rates would reignite a stalling housing market. Industrial stocks like Caterpillar also gained.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury jumped, lowering yields to 4.17% from Wednesday’s 4.28%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices advanced 39 cents at $82.49 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices spiked $41.50 to $2,421.20
