Stocks Demure Following BoC Hike

Investors kept bidding stocks slightly lower by lunch hour on Wednesday

The TSX Composite remained negative 22.22 points to 19,967.95.

The Canadian dollar advanced 0.02 cents to 73.27 cents U.S.

The Bank of Canada hiked its benchmark overnight interest rate by 50 basis points to 4.25%, the highest level in almost 15 years, and signaled the tightening campaign was near an end.

Health-care suffered the most severe bruises, with Tilray down 39 cents, or 7.1%, to $5.13, while Canopy Growth retreated 33 cents, or 6.7%, to $4.53.

Gold led the strongest subgroup, with Barrick Gold better by 44 cents, or 2%, to $22.91, while OceanaGold forged ahead 15 cents, or 6.1%, to $2.62.

Consumer stocks also had a fine morning, with Dollarama surging $3.47, or 4.4%, to $83.32, while Park Lawn Corporation tacked on 43 cents, or 1.7%, to $25.25.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange gained 4.13 points to 585.38

Seven of the 12 subgroups were positive at noon hour, with gold leading the way, up 1%, while consumer discretionary stocks improved 0.9%, and real-estate was stronger 0.8%.

The five laggards were weighed most by health-care, shedding 3.2%, energy, down 1%, and information technology, off 0.6%.

ON WALLSTREET

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Stocks moved down Wednesday as traders weighed the possibility of a recession, and the likelihood of a longer-than-expected hiking cycle from the Federal Reserve.

The Dow Jones Industrials stayed buoyant 9.16 points to 33,605.50, despite gains from 3M and Home Depot.

The S&P 500 retreated 4.86 points to 3,936.40.

The NASDAQ continued in the red 46.68 points to 10.968.21.

Airline stocks declined as well, with shares of Southwest Airlines falling more than 5%. Shares of Delta Air Lines and American Airlines declined more than 4%. Alaska Air Group and United Airlines Holdings each slipped more than 3%.

Investors have been losing hope that the Fed will be able to engineer a so-called soft landing that successfully tamps down inflation through higher rates and also avoids a recession. Instead, concerns are swirling around the state of the economy and the likelihood of a downturn in 2023.

Prices for the 10-year Treasury hiked, lowering yields to 3.46% from Tuesday’s 3.53%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices diminished $1.70 to $72.55 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices brightened $11.10 to $1,793.50 U.S. an ounce.

Stocks Slip as Investors Weigh Recession Risks