TSX Futures Slip on Lower Metal Prices

Futures tracking Canadian equities fell on Wednesday as lower metal prices pressured mining stocks, while oil prices moved higher, stoking energy-driven inflation fears. Gold and silver fell amid hawkish signals from US Federal Reserve officials, while copper also moved lower. In addition, CIBC downgraded Endeavour Silver to “neutral” from “outperformer.” US-listed Canadian miners posted sharp losses in pre-market trading. Meanwhile, oil moved higher amid uncertainty over diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Bond yields moved higher as energy-driven inflation concerns persisted despite the slowdown in the oil rally in recent weeks, pressuring credit-sensitive stocks such as major banks.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.9% to close at 36,336, hitting an over two-week high, as investors assessed prospects for US-Iran talks. US President Trump said US officials had a “very good” meeting with Iranian envoys at the UN General Assembly and that another was being planned for the near future. A senior Iranian official said Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within days if the US eased military pressure and lifted its blockade on Iranian ports. The pullback in the oil rally, which has fueled inflationary pressures and prompted central banks to raise interest rates, supported equities. Miners gained as gold prices rebounded, with Agnico Eagle rising 3.4%, Barrick adding 3.1%, and WPM advancing 4.5%. Shopify surged 7.4% on news that the company partnered with Meta to enable purchases through Meta’s Muse AI agent using Shop Pay. Financials closed lower after BoC Governor Macklem warned that rate decisions will need to balance slow growth against high energy costs.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose more than 0.5% to trade above 36,000 on Tuesday as oil prices extended their losses ahead of potential US-Iran talks at this week’s UN meeting. Iran reportedly offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the US takes initial steps to ease military pressure. The pullback in the oil rally, which has fueled inflationary pressures and prompted major central banks to raise interest rates, lent support to credit-sensitive stocks. RBC, TD Bank, and Scotiabank gained nearly 0.5%. On the other hand, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned on Monday that US tariffs could push fourth-quarter growth below 1%, adding that future rate decisions will need to balance slowing growth against surging energy costs stemming from the Iran conflict. Meanwhile, miners were mostly higher despite wavering gold prices, with Agnico Eagle and Barrick gaining about 1%. In contrast, energy producers posted losses amid falling oil prices.