Canada's main stock index edged lower on Monday as investors took money out of recently rising energy stocks in trade made sluggish by the US Memorial Day holiday, but banks firmed ahead of closely watched quarterly earnings reports. The energy sector, which accounts for more than 20 percent of the index's value, was down more than half a percent even as crude oil prices rose.
Seven of the eight heaviest drags on the index were oil and gas-related companies, with Enbridge Inc off 2.1 percent at C$60.71, and Cenovus Energy Inc giving up 1.8 percent to C$20.95. One strategist said some energy stocks may have bounded too far ahead as oil prices rallied off January's trough, with crude prices now moving sideways.
"I think the tendency is if you're seeing quick profits, especially in the oil space, then you take them when you can," said Elvis Picardo, strategist at Global Securities. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended down 13.36 points, or 0.09 percent, to close at 15,187.40, helped by gains in telecoms and utilities. The heavily weighted financials group rose a bit as investors awaited bank earnings this week for clues on the economy.
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