(Updates prices, sectors)
June 18 (Reuters) – Canada’s main stock index was set to
mark its worst day in more than two weeks on Friday, dragged by
energy stocks as oil prices dropped for a second straight day on
the prospect of interest rate hikes in the United States.
* The energy sector fell 1.1% as U.S. crude
prices were down 0.4% a barrel, while Brent crude lost
0.6%.
* At 9:39 a.m. ET (1339 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange’s
S&P/TSX composite index was down 122.7 points, or
0.61%, at 20,021.34.
* Marine port service provider Westshore Terminals
Investment Corp fell 4.9%, the most on the TSX, and the
second-biggest decliner was apparel maker Gildan Activewear Inc
, down 2.2%.
* The financials sector slipped 0.9%. The
industrials sector fell 0.7%.
* Meanwhile, the materials sector, which includes
precious and base metals miners, and fertilizer companies, lost
0.2%.
* On the TSX, 53 issues were higher, while 166 issues
declined for a 3.13-to-1 ratio to the downside, with 88.85
million shares traded.
* The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were
cybersecurity firm BlackBerry Ltd, which jumped 2.2%,
extending its rally amid the “meme-stock” frenzy and e-commerce
firm Shopify Inc, which rose 1.9%.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were
Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and
Bank of Nova Scotia.
* The TSX posted four new 52-week highs and no new lows.
* Across all Canadian issues there were 14 new 52-week highs
and five new lows, with a total volume of 104.00 million shares.
(Reporting by Amal S in Bengaluru; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)
