Canadian equities finished the trading day slightly in the red on Monday, with the S&P/TSX Composite index ending down 0.08% in Toronto as weakness in the information technology, healthcare and energy sectors offset gains elsewhere.
Top movers on the TSX
Among individual names, AbraSilver Resource Corp (TSX:ABRA) was the session leader, gaining 5.92% or 0.65 points to close at 11.63. Aya Gold & Silver Inc (TSX:AYA) also posted a strong advance, rising 5.21% or 0.95 points to finish at 19.20. Gfl Environmental Inc (TSX:GFL) added 4.14% or 2.24 points to end the day at 56.30.
Conversely, Americas Silver Corp (TSX:USA) registered the largest drop among S&P/TSX Composite components, falling 15.09% or 1.15 points to close at 6.47. 5N Plus Inc. (TSX:VNP) slid 9.35% or 3.09 points to 29.96 and Celestica Inc. (TSX:CLS) declined 7.79% or 30.29 points to 358.37.
Market breadth and volatility
Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the Toronto Stock Exchange by 526 to 448, while 68 stocks finished unchanged. The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, which reflects the implied volatility of options on the S&P/TSX Composite, rose 1.58% to 22.46, marking a new six-month high.
Commodities and currencies
Precious metals and crude oil both strengthened during the session. Gold futures for June delivery increased 0.26% or 11.87 to settle at 4,536.17 per troy ounce. In energy markets, May delivery crude oil climbed 5.53% or 5.51 to reach 105.15 a barrel, while the June Brent contract rose 3.43% or 3.61 to trade at 108.93 a barrel.
On the foreign exchange front, the Canadian dollar was essentially flat against major peers: CAD/USD was little changed at 0.72, moving by 0.24%, and CAD/EUR was effectively unchanged at 0.63, with a 0.21% move. The US Dollar Index Futures finished the session up 0.41% at 100.39.
Overall, trading on Monday produced a slight net decline for the TSX Composite amid firmer commodity markets and a rise in implied volatility on TSX options.