Equities

Global markets were mostly higher in choppy trading as investors mulled the outlook for the conflict in the Middle East after U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to “make a deal.”

Wall Street futures were in positive territory after a mixed close on U.S. markets yesterday.

TSX futures followed sentiment higher after Canada’s main stock market suffered its biggest decline in a month yesterday.

In Canada, investors are getting results from Aritzia Inc. and Richelieu Hardware Ltd.

On Wall Street, markets are watching earnings from PepsiCo Inc.

“At this stage, the market still appears skewed towards the view that the [Middle East] conflict ultimately de-escalates, and negotiations resume around the memorandum of understanding,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone.  

“Nevertheless, traders understand the need to remain open-minded. The situation remains highly fluid, and conviction around timing is exceptionally difficult.”

Overseas, the pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.33 per cent in morning trading. Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.47 per cent, Germany’s DAX advanced 0.12 per cent and France’s CAC 40 rose 0.35 per cent.

In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei closed 1.38 per cent higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.7 per cent.

Commodities

Oil prices fell as markets eyed the impact of fresh U.S. strikes on Iran, which could hinder progress on talks to end their war and allow for the full reopening of the key Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures dropped 0.95 per cent to US$77.28 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures lost 0.88 per cent to trade at US$72.87 a barrel.

The latest strikes, which the U.S. said were in response to Tuesday’s attack on three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, came hours after President Donald Trump said an interim ceasefire with Iran was “over.”

“Traders are now reassessing the situation, especially as things are very much up in the air regarding oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

In other commodities, spot gold was up 0.8 per cent to US$4,106.82 an ounce. U.S. gold futures for August delivery gained 0.8 per cent to US$4,116.40.

Currencies and bonds

The Canadian dollar weakened against its U.S. counterpart.

The day range on the loonie was 70.47 US cents to 70.67 US cents in early trading. The Canadian dollar was down about 1.55 per cent against the greenback over the past month.

The U.S. dollar index, which weighs the greenback against a group of currencies, eased 0.06 per cent to 100.92. The dollar was pegged at $1.4189.

The euro rose 0.11 per cent to US$1.1429. The British pound advanced 0.22 per cent to US$1.3416.

In bonds, the yield on the U.S. 10-year note was last up at 4.578 per cent.

Economic news

With Reuters and The Canadian Press