(MENAFN- Baystreet)

Equity markets saw their gains fade away Thursday, as weakness in energy and financials overshadowed strong performances by resource issues.
The TSX fell into the red by the close, 178.32 points to 30,458.80.
The Canadian dollar settled 0.18 cents to 71.19 cents U.S.
In corporate news, Altius Minerals reported Wednesday that its attributable royalty revenue for the third quarter is expected to reach about $21.2 million from $14.7 million in the same period last year.
Altius shares gained $1.70, or 5.1%, to $35.20.
Energy proved the biggest loser on the day, with Athabasca Oil giving up 28 cents, or 4.4%, to $6.12, while Baytex Energy handed over 14 cents, or 4.3%, to $3.10.
In financials, Brookfield Asset Management ditched $2.77, or 3.5%, to $76.21, while Fairfax Financial dropped $89.80, or 3.7%, to $2,341.56.
Health-care stocks were also bruised, with Curaleaf sinking 23 cents, or 5%, to $4.41, while Chartwell Retirement Residences turfed 13 cents to $19.41.
On the positive side, NGEx Minerals grabbed $2.03, or 7.9%, to 5.9%, to $14.13, while Endeavour Silver captured 79 cents, or 5.9%, to $14.13.
In gold stocks, Lundin Gold jumped $6.06, or 5.9%, to $108.03, while Eldorado Gold leaped $2.23, or 5.5%, to $43.24.
In communications, Quebecor gained $1.23, or 3%, to $42.82, while Rogers picked up 49 cents, or 1%, to $52.25.
BoC Governor Tiff Macklem spoke out on Canada's economic outlook Thursday afternoon, as market participants were pricing in 66% chances of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the October 29 policy meeting.
Despite last week's unexpectedly robust jobs report, many analysts believe the central bank remains on an easing trajectory - one that might proceed slower rather than being completely derailed.
On the economic ledger, the Canadian Real Estate Association declared the number of home sales recorded over Canadian MLS Systems declined by 1.7% on a month-over-month basis in September 2025, ending a string of gains that began in April. That said, it was still the best month of September for sales since 2021.
Moreover, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported the six-month trend in housing starts increased (4.1%) in September (277,147 units). The trend measure is a six-month moving average of the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of total housing starts for all areas in Canada.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange settled 20.25 points to 1,007.36.
Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups were losers on the day, with energy down 2.1%, financials, retreating 2%, and health-care off 1.5%.
The four laggards were weighed most by gold, up 3.1%, materials, gaining 1.5%, and telecoms, up 0.7%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks closed lower on Thursday, giving up earlier gains, led by declines in bank stocks on worries about bad loans. Traders also juggled persistent trade tensions and an ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
The Dow Jones Industrials stumbled 301.07 points to 45,952.24.
The S&P 500 dipped 41.99 points to 6,629.07
The tech-heavy NASDAQ shed 107.54 points to 22,562.54.
Regional banks Zions and Western Alliance fell to their lows of the day as indexes rolled over. Zions plunged 13% after taking a sizable charge because of bad loans to a couple borrowers. Western Alliance dropped 11% after alleging a borrower had committed fraud.
The banking industry has been on edge lately following the bankruptcies of two auto industry-related companies that have raised concerns about loose lending practices, especially in the opaque private credit market.
President Donald Trump last week threatened to place an additional 100% tariff on any goods coming from China in response to the country's new export controls on rare earth minerals. The trade tone softened over subsequent days, but tensions increased again Tuesday, when Trump threatened China with a cooking oil trade ban.
Investors are also keeping a watchful eye as the U.S. government shutdown continues for a third week.
The stoppage has led to an indefinite shutdown of crucial economic data releases from federal agencies.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury found new energy Thursday, lowering yields to 3.97% from Wednesday's 4.04%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices thundered lower 76 cents to $57.51 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices jumped $123.40 to $4,325 U.S. an ounce.

MENAFN16102025000212011056ID1110208737