TSX Futures Slip on Tech Weakness

The S&P/TSX Composite Index traded near flat around the 35,000 mark on Friday, as losses in banking and energy stocks were offset by gains in mining and technology. Energy shares were pressured as oil prices fell on easing supply concerns, with more tankers exiting the Strait of Hormuz. This came despite Iran reaffirming its control over shipping in the Strait and warning Gulf states against siding with the US, a day after an attack on a vessel near Oman underscored the fragility of the preliminary peace deal. Canadian Natural Resources and Suncor Energy both lost more than 1%. Major banks also traded lower as bond yields moved higher, with RBC, TD Bank, and BMO down about 0.5%. Meanwhile, Canada and Japan advanced cooperation on mining projects, including potential joint stockpiling, while gold prices rose. Agnico Eagle and Barrick Gold gained around 1%. In technology, Shopify rose 2.5% and Constellation Software added 1.3%, while Celestica fell 4.3%, tracking weakness on Wall Street.

Futures tracking the S&P/TSX Composite Index edged lower on Friday, following broader technology-driven weakness on Wall Street. North American tech stocks reversed earlier gains as concerns over hyperscaler AI spending outweighed upbeat demand signals from Micron and Qualcomm. Energy shares also came under pressure as oil prices fell back to pre-conflict levels on easing supply concerns, with more tankers exiting the Strait of Hormuz. This was despite Iran claiming its right to control shipping in the Strait and warning Gulf states against siding with the US, a day after an attack on a vessel near Oman underscored the fragility of the preliminary peace deal. Separately, Canada and Japan are advancing cooperation on mining projects, including potential joint stockpiling. Gold prices also edged higher, offering support to mining stocks.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.3% to close at 34,850 on Thursday, supported by gains in the financial and mining sectors. Although oil prices edged higher after a cargo ship was struck by an unidentified projectile off the Omani coast, they remained near pre-conflict lows, easing inflation concerns and supporting financial stocks and the broader index. TD Bank rose 0.9%, RBC gained 0.4%, and BMO added 0.9%. Gold prices also edged higher, supporting mining shares, with Agnico Eagle rising 1.7%. Meanwhile, a renewed wave of volatility in technology stocks on Wall Street weighed on Canadian tech shares. Shopify fell 2.6%, Constellation Software lost 3.6%, and Celestica shed 0.7%. Investors also assessed the latest minutes from the Bank of Canada, which showed policymakers agreed to keep monetary policy flexible in response to potential new US trade restrictions and changes in energy prices.