Top Canadian Stock News

Toronto, August 22, 2024

The Canadian stock market traded down over half a percent, as falling gold prices and mixed global economic signals influenced sentiment. These following 4 companies are the main stocks that Canadian investors are focusing on today:

Top Stocks to Watch

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD): Toronto-Dominion Bank reported a significant quarterly loss, swinging to a net loss of CAD 181 million, or 14 Canadian cents per share, compared to a profit of CAD 2.88 billion, or CAD 1.53 per share, a year earlier. This dramatic shift is attributed to a C$3.57 billion provision set aside for fines related to U.S. regulatory investigations into its anti-money laundering (AML) practices. The regulatory probes have been a persistent concern for TD’s stock performance over the past year. The bank anticipates a resolution to these probes by year-end, which will likely involve both monetary and non-monetary penalties. Analysts have expressed concerns about potential restrictions on TD’s future growth in the U.S., such as an asset cap. Additionally, TD announced plans to sell 40.5 million shares of Charles Schwab, reducing its ownership stake in the U.S. brokerage from 12.3% to 10.1%.

Canadian National Railway (CN) & Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC): Both CN Rail and CPKC have shut down their rail networks in Canada, locking out nearly 10,000 workers following failed negotiations with a major labor union. This move sets the stage for an unprecedented rail stoppage that could severely impact the Canadian economy and cross-border trade with the U.S. Rail transport is a critical component of Canada’s infrastructure, accounting for 14% of bilateral trade between Canada and the U.S. during the first half of the year. The shutdown is expected to disrupt the shipment of essential commodities such as grain, potash, coal, petroleum products, chemicals, and automobiles.

Lucara Diamond Corp: Lucara Diamond Corp has made a remarkable discovery at its Karowe mine in Botswana, unearthing a 2,492-carat diamond, one of the largest ever found. While the gem quality has not been disclosed, this diamond ranks as the second-largest rough diamond ever discovered, following the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond. The Karowe Mine, renowned for producing large stones, has previously yielded significant finds like the 1,758-carat Sewelô and the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona. Lucara plans to present the diamond to Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi, underscoring Botswana’s status as the world’s leading diamond producer by value.

Outlook & Impact for Canadian Markets

The Canadian market is navigating a landscape of mixed signals from both domestic and international fronts. With major stock movements, regulatory impacts, and labor disputes shaping the economic outlook, investors should remain vigilant and informed. The developments in gold prices, U.S. monetary policy expectations, and significant corporate announcements will continue to drive market sentiment and investment strategies in the coming weeks.