The Usual Suspects Responsible for a Tough Friday in Canada

Resource stocks are once again dragging the Canadian market lower.

Iain Butler

Chief Investment Advisor, Motley Fool Canada Fool since November 2012 Iain Butler is Lead Advisor for Stock Advisor Canada. He is also the Chief Investment Advisor for Motley Fool Canada. Before joining the Fool, Iain was a “buy-side” analyst and through this experience is well-versed in the idiosyncratic ways of the Canadian market. His investing interests are centred on scouring the market for interesting businesses that trade at reasonable prices and offer an appealing risk/reward relationship. Since joining the Fool in 2012, Iain dedicates each day to spreading Foolishness throughout this great country!

Published April 12, 2013 1:16 pm EDT

The Canadian market is currently down 143 points or 1.15% in early afternoon trading. Two less than robust U.S. economic reports and falling commodity prices are at the root of the slide.

The spot price of gold is currently down almost $57 (-3.6%) to $1,505.73/oz and WTI oil has declined by $2.55 (-2.8%) to $91.06/bbl. As a result of the sizeable declines for both commodities it’s no surprise that the companies leading the Canadian market lower are gold and oil related.

Gold stocks just can’t seem to find a bottom as Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX,NYSE:ABX), Goldcorp (TSX:G,NYSE:GG) and Yamana Gold (TSX:YRI,NYSE:AUY) are three of the top five biggest detractors from today’s market. The stocks have declined by 5.5%, 3.1%, and 5.8% respectively thus far today. As we recently illustrated, these stocks may have further to fall before they can truly be considered “cheap”.

Because of oil’s weakness Suncor Energy (TSX:SU,NYSE:SU) and Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ,NYSE:CNQ) round out the top 5 index drags of the day. The stocks are down 2.5% and 4.3% respectively thus far.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index is loaded with resource and financial stocks. Because of this, investors that rely on Canadian Index funds or ETFs severely lack diversification in their portfolio, opening them to undue risks. We have created a special report that outlines an easy to implement strategy and 5 Canadian stocks that reduce the risks involved with passively investing in the Canadian market. Click here now to receive “Buy These 5 Companies Instead of Following a Flawed Piece of Advice” – FREE!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest in Foolish investing.

Fool contributor Iain Butler is short $32 July 2013 put options on Goldcorp, short $14 June put options on Yamana and owns shares outright in Barrick Gold and Yamana. The Motley Fool has no positions in the stocks mentioned above.