TSX Ends Lower Again

(RTTNews) - Despite some hectic buying in the energy section, the Canadian stock market languished in the red almost right through the session on Wednesday as worries about geopolitical tensions and concerns about global growth rendered the overall mood bearish.

Energy stocks rallied thanks to crude oil's sharp rise after data showed a much bigger than expected drop in U.S. crude inventories. But shares from real estate, industrials, consumer staples, metal and consumer discretionary sections ended mostly lower.

Healthcare and financial stocks turned in a mixed performance.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index ended down 59.06 points, or 0.36%, at 16,312.22, slightly off the day's low of 16,302.36. The index touched a high of 16,393.92 in the session.

Encana Corporation (ECA.TO) jumped more than 4.5%. Crescent Point Energy (CPG.TO) climbed up 5.4% and Baytex Energy (BTE.TO) advanced 3.5%. Whitecap Resources (WCP.TO), Precision Drilling (PD.TO) and Husky Energy (HSE.TO) also ended sharply higher.

Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX.TO) ended 1.3% down and Kinross Gold Corporation (K.TO) declined 1.75%.

Among cannabis stocks Hexo Corp. (HEXO.TO) declined 1.75%. Aurora Cannabis (ACB.TO) gained about 1.85%.

BlackBerry (BB.TO) plunged more than 9% after the company's fiscal first quarter results fell short of expectations.

U.S. stocks ended mixed, failing to hold early gains. While comments from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin generated optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal and set up a firm start for the market, data showing a steep drop in durable goods orders in the month of May weighed on stocks and wiped off some profits.

Most of the markets across Europe and Asia ended lower. Among the major markets, Germany edged higher, while the U.K. and France closed weak.

In commodities, West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for August ended up $1.55, or 2.7%, at $59.38 a barrel.

Gold futures for August ended down $3.30, or 0.2%, at $1,415.40 an ounce.

Silver futures for July ended down $0.006, at $15.294 an ounce, while Copper futures for July settled at $0.0220, at $2.7135 per pound.