June 19 - Canada's main stock index was little unchanged on Wednesday, as strength in energy stocks was offset by weakness in real estate, while investors awaited more cues on the interest rate cut trajectory in the U.S. and Canada.
Energy shares , opens new tab gained the most, with a 0.4% rise, after oil prices hit seven-week highs on summer demand optimism and escalating geopolitical conflict concerns. The central bank indicated at its last decision, where it trimmed borrowing costs and became the first G7 country to do so, that more cuts would be gradual and data-dependent.
“If we see retail sales data and other weaker consumer data, it's kind of confirming overall weaker economic data, which also should lead through slower inflation and would help the BoC in its path to cutting rates," Headland added.