Stocks Dip at Open

Equities in Canada’s largest market opened slightly lower on Monday, retreating from a record high hit last week, as healthcare stocks fell.

The TSX Composite Index slipped 11.39 points to start Monday at 17,547.63

The Canadian dollar eked up 0.01 cent to 76.55 cents U.S.

Jefferies cut the target price on Aphria to $10.30 from $11.00. Aphria began the week down two cents to $6.86.

RBC cut the rating on Genworth MI Canada to sector perform from outperform. Genworth dropped seven cents to kick off the session at $60.84.

National Bank of Canada cut the target price on IAMGOLD to $6.00 from $7.25. IAMGOLD gained two cents to $3.96 at Monday’s open.

RBC raised the target price on Sprott Inc to $3.50 from $3.00. Sprott shares inched up a nickel, or 1.6%, to $3.09.

Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.2% Monday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index dropped 0.9%

Oil prices added 27 cents to $58.79 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices was lifted 10 dollars to $1,560.50 U.S. an ounce.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange gained 2.38 points Friday to 584.50, for a gain on the week of 2.15 points, or 0.37%

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Of the 12 TSX subgroups, seven lost ground, particularly energy, off 0.5%, while information technology dropped 0.4%, and consumer discretionary concerns slumped 0.2%.

The five gainers were led by health-care, up 0.5%, while gold acquired 0.3%, and utilities strengthened 0.2%.

ON WALLSTREET

Markets are closed Monday for Martin Luther King Day.