TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Friday, July 31

After recovering from the previous session’s pullback, the TSX enters today’s session with investors focused on Canada’s GDP data, a busy earnings calendar, and renewed U.S.-Iran tensions ahead of the Civic Holiday weekend.

| More on:
Key Points
  • The TSX Composite rose 0.5% to 35,506 on Thursday, driven by strong healthcare, mining, and financial stocks, despite pressure on energy shares as crude prices remain affected by the U.S.-Iran conflict.
  • Bausch Health surged 28.5% following strong earnings and guidance, while Lightspeed Commerce fell nearly 13% despite topping revenue expectations and sharply narrowed losses.
  • TSX investors will watch Canada's GDP figures, U.S. employment data, and heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, alongside earnings releases from major companies like TransAlta, Enbridge, Magna International, and Imperial Oil.

A much cooler-than-expected U.S. personal consumption expenditure (PCE) inflation rate, largely upbeat corporate earnings, and strong metals prices helped Canadian stocks recover on Thursday, even as investors continue to monitor the widening U.S.-Iran conflict and its impact on global energy and shipping markets. The S&P/TSX Composite Index advanced by 172 points, or 0.5%, to settle at 35,506, regaining some of the ground it lost in the previous session.

Strength in healthcare, mining, and financial stocks helped offset continued pressure on TSX energy shares as crude oil prices remained sensitive to developments in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Softer-than-expected U.S. PCE inflation data also supported hopes that the Federal Reserve could adopt a more accommodative policy stance later this year after it recently kept benchmark interest rates unchanged while signaling a patient approach toward future policy moves.

tsx today

Top TSX Composite movers and active stocks

Bausch Health Companies (TSX: BHC) skyrocketed by 28.5% to $8.43 per share, making it the top-performing TSX stock for the day. This rally in BHC stock came a day after the Laval-headquartered pharmaceutical firm posted strong second-quarter 2026 results and raised its full-year guidance.

In the June quarter, Bausch Health’s revenue climbed 13% year over year (YoY) to US$2.85 billion, while adjusted earnings jumped 40% to US$1.26 per share. The company also highlighted its 13th consecutive quarter of YoY revenue growth (excluding Bausch + Lomb) and lifted its 2026 guidance. Despite the recent rally, however, BHC stock is still down nearly 12% on a year-to-date basis.

Perpetua Resources, Energy Fuels, and Teck Resources were also among the day’s top gainers on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with each jumping by at least 8.2%.

On the flip side, Lightspeed Commerce (TSX: LSPD) plunged by nearly 13% after its first-quarter fiscal 2027 (ended in June 2026) results failed to impress investors despite topping its revenue outlook. The Montréal-based firm delivered 17% YoY organic revenue growth, narrowed its net loss sharply to US$2.4 million from US$49.6 million a year earlier, and posted higher adjusted income.

While Lightspeed maintained its full-year fiscal 2027 outlook and highlighted strong momentum in its core retail and hospitality businesses, the market appeared disappointed that it didn’t raise its guidance following the better-than-expected quarterly performance.

Bombardier, Thomson Reuters, and Boyd Group Services also slipped by at least 6.5% each, making them among the session’s worst-performing TSX stocks.

According to the exchange’s daily trade volume data, Whitecap Resources, Ivanhoe Mines, Enbridge, Telus, and BCE were the five most active stocks.

TSX today

Crude oil and precious metals prices trended lower in early trading on Friday, which could pressure the commodity-heavy main TSX index at the open today.

In addition to Canada’s monthly gross domestic product (GDP) figures, TSX investors will also keep an eye on the latest employment and revised consumer sentiment data from the U.S. this morning.

Meanwhile, escalating fighting between the U.S. and Iran may keep investors cautious before the long Civic Holiday weekend in Canada.

On the corporate events side, many key TSX-listed companies, including TransAlta, Imperial Oil, Parex Resources, Magna International, Cameco, Enbridge, Fortis, Brookfield Business Holdings, Brookfield Renewable Partners, and George Weston, will release their latest quarterly earnings reports today.

Market movers on the TSX today

Fool contributor Jitendra Parashar has positions in Bce, Enbridge, Magna International, and Teck Resources. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Renewable Partners, Cameco, Enbridge, Fortis, Lightspeed Commerce, Magna International, Parex Resources, TELUS, and Thomson Reuters. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Stock Market

Oil industry worker works in oilfield
Energy Stocks

Oil & Gas Stocks Are Back on the TSX30 After a Year on the Sidelines

Oil and gas stocks have returned to the TSX30. Here’s what drove Tenaz Energy and Valeura Energy higher and what…

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Friday, September 18

TSX investors will closely watch rising metals prices at the open today, while Canada-U.S. trade tensions, closer economic ties with…

Read more »

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem
Stock Market

The U.S. Federal Reserve Just Raised Interest Rates: Does it Actually Mean Anything for Canadians?

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates, but what does that mean for Canadians and stocks such as TD, Fortis,…

Read more »

Young Boy with Jet Pack Dreams of Flying
Tech Stocks

MDA Space Stock: How This Canadian Company Became a Space Sector Standout

MDA Space stock combines proven Canadian technology, a $4 billion backlog, and strong growth across satellites, robotics, and geointelligence.

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: Why Canadian Stocks Could Rally on Thursday, September 17

The TSX could regain some ground today as metals prices rally sharply, with Middle East developments and Canada’s efforts to…

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Wednesday, September 16

Stronger metals prices could lift TSX mining stocks at the open today, although weaker oil prices and uncertainty ahead of…

Read more »

rising arrow with flames
Dividend Stocks

The Market’s On Fire — But Should You Be Buying Right Now?

Despite the hot market, investors could still invest selectively in quality businesses. Diversify and dollar-cost average over time to mitigate…

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Tuesday, September 15

The TSX could struggle for clear direction again today as investors weigh elevated oil prices, falling metals, U.S.-Iran tensions, and…

Read more »