The TSX was modestly higher at midday, gaining only 25 points, with the sharp decline in energy stocks curbing the rally led by healthcare and info tech shares.
Oil prices were mixed on Wednesday, with Brent lifted by hopes of a reduction in supply as Iran reportedly said it would be willing to negotiate with Saudi Arabia to cut production. The WTI, on the other hand, failed to recover after the latest EIA data showed an increase of 1.3 million barrels in gasoline supplies and a decline of 800,000 barrels in crude oil inventories last week. At last check, Brent was up 1.9% at US$30.88/barrel, while the WTI crude fell 0.8% to US$27.73/barrel.
Info tech and healthcare led advancers gaining 2.5% and 1.3%, respectively. Financials were up by 0.5%. On the other side, energy led shedding 1.1%. Miners slipped 0.2%.
Total volume traded so far stood at 192.3 million shares. B2Gold (BTO.TO) was the most actively traded stock.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
