The S&P/TSX Composite Index climbed 0.5% to trade near 35,500 on Tuesday after the release of US inflation data. US consumer prices fell in June for the first time in six years, while core inflation was little changed, easing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. Financials advanced, with RBC, TD Bank, BMO, and CIBC each adding nearly 1%. The Bank of Canada, meanwhile, is widely expected to leave its key policy rate unchanged at 2.25% on Wednesday.
In contrast, oil prices moved higher on renewed concerns about crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating US–Iran conflict, stoking fears of rising energy costs. Gold prices also strengthened, lending support to mining stocks: Agnico Eagle, Franco-Nevada, and Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM) gained more than 2%, while Barrick rose more than 2.5%.
