The Canadian equities market started the new week on a mixed note, as investors remained cautious ahead of the latest domestic inflation data. While the TSX Composite Index opened over 100 points lower from its previous closing Monday due to a bearish movement across the commodity markets, the benchmark recovered later during the session to close without any major change for the day. This recovery was primarily driven by sharp gains in the healthcare, consumer, and industrials sectors.
Top TSX movers and active stocks
Cannabis stocks like Canopy Growth, Aurora Cannabis, Tilray Brands, and Cronos Group staged a big rally, as speculations about the marijuana legalization bill in the United States continued. Cronos stock led the rally by posting more than 17% gains for the day, while the shares of other cannabis companies also rose by more than 7% each.
Home Capital Group (TSX: HCG) was also among the top gainers on the TSX yesterday, as its stock popped by about 10% to $31.28 per share. This rally came after its board of directors rejected a third-party takeover bid, claiming that the offer was not “in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.” In its latest press release, the Toronto-based financial services company also highlighted its recently announced $115 million share-buyback program. Monday’s sharp rally helped trim Home Capital stock’s year-to-date losses to 20%.
On the flip side, shares of Turquoise Hill Resources (TSX: TRQ)(NYSE: TRQ) slipped by 10.4% on August 15 to $30.05 per share, making it the worst-performing TSX Composite component for the session. This selloff in TRQ stock started after a special committee of its independent directors rejected Rio Tinto’s takeover proposal. The committee concluded that Rio Tinto’s “offer price of C$34 per share does not fully and fairly reflect the fundamental and long-term strategic value of the company’s majority ownership of the Oyu Tolgoi project.” Interestingly, Turquoise Hill stock zoomed up by more than 32% on March 14, when it acknowledged receiving Rio Tinto’s acquisition offer.
Falling metals prices also drove shares of companies like Ero Copper and Torex Gold, which were down by at least 5% each Monday.
Based on their daily trade volume, Enbridge, Suncor Energy, Barrick Gold, and Kinross Gold were the most active stocks on the exchange.
TSX today
Early Tuesday morning, precious metals prices continued to extend their losses from yesterday, which could pressure TSX metals and mining stocks at the open today. Apart from the latest building permits data from the U.S. market, Canadian investors may want to keep a close eye on the domestic core consumer price numbers this morning to get an idea about inflationary trends. Continued high inflationary pressures may increase the chances of more aggressive monetary policy measures from the Bank of Canada in the coming months.
