Futures tracking the S&P/TSX Composite Index advanced on Tuesday after the release of U.S. inflation data. U.S. consumer prices fell in June for the first time in six years, while core inflation was largely unchanged. This eased pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, bolstering North American financial stocks and lifting the broader index.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada is widely expected to leave its key policy rate unchanged at 2.25% on Wednesday.
In contrast, oil prices climbed on renewed concerns about crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S.-Iran conflict intensified, heightening fears of rising energy costs. Gold prices also moved higher, providing additional support to mining shares.
Separately, Canada’s federal banking regulator issued a warning to major financial institutions about the risks associated with Anthropic’s Claude Mythos and other advanced artificial intelligence models.
