TSX Dives by Noon

Canada's main stock index fell on Wednesday as TD Bank extended losses for a second straight session, while the weak U.S. private payrolls data added to worries about a potential recession in the world's largest economy.

The TSX stumbled 114.63 points, to reach noon EDT Wednesday at 20,161.13.

The Canadian dollar faded 0.05 cents to 74.37 cents U.S.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Group dragged the financial sector down after some shareholders on Tuesday urged the bank to abandon or renegotiate its acquisition of U.S. lender First Horizon. TD lost $2.59, or 3.2%, to $78.82.

Bernstein raised its ratings on Canopy Growth to "market perform" from "underperform". The cannabis producer's stock, however, slipped nine cents, or 4%, to $2.18.

Hut 8 Mining Corp's shares were down 10 cents, or 4.2%, to $2.28, after the crypto miner gave its March production and operations update.

On the economic front, Statistics Canada reported Canadian international merchandise trade decreased in February. Exports were down 2.4%, while imports decreased 1.3%. As a result, Canada's merchandise trade surplus with the world narrowed from $1.2 billion in January to $422 million in February.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange dipped 8.67 points to 621.37.

Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups were lower midday, with health-care down 2.1%, information technology slipping 1.5%, and materials off 1.1%.

The four gainers were led by utilities, ahead 1%, communications, better by 0.4%, and gold, up 0.4%.

ON WALLSTREET

The S&P 500 slipped on Wednesday as traders assessed the state of the global economy following a losing session.

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The Dow Jones Industrials remained ahead 34.91 points to 33,439.29.

The S&P 500 moved lower 21.66 points to 4,078.94.

The NASDAQ dropped 173.06 points, or 1.4%, to 11,953.27.

Wednesday’s losses were stemmed by solid gains for a few large stocks. Johnson & Johnson shares rose 3% after the pharmaceutical company said Tuesday it would pay $8.9 billion over the next 25 years to settle claims that its talc products caused cancer. FedEx climbed more than 2% after announcing a reorganization and dividend hike.

Meanwhile, the energy market added to uncertainty this week after OPEC+ said it would cut output by 1.16 million barrels of oil per day.
Wednesday’s moves came as traders mulled over the latest ADP private payroll report, which showed slowing job growth in March. That followed Tuesday’s job openings report that suggested the Federal Reserve’s efforts to cool the labour market might finally be having an effect. In February, the number of available positions fell below 10 million for the first time in nearly two years.

Prices for the 10-year Treasury strengthened, lowering yields to 3.28% from Tuesday 3.35%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices listed lower 58 cents to $80.13 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices nicked up $2.50 to $2,040.70 U.S. an ounce.