-- The Toronto Stock Exchange is up near 100 points at midday in choppy trade, with most sectors higher after the United States announced that it was extending the ceasefire with Iran.
Healthcare and miners are the leaders, up 5.6% and 3.0% respectively, followed by telecoms, up 2.4%.
Domestically, CUSMA negotiations are in focus, amid media reports that the United States is demanding an "entry fee" from Canada before formal talks are launched. Former Quebec premier Jean Charest, who is on the committee for Canada-U.S. economic relations, confirmed the U.S. demand, CBC news reported.
StatsCan today released the latest figures for the New Housing Price Index, which edged down 0.2% in March as a dip in land prices offset steady house prices.
In stocks, Rogers Communications (RCI-B.TO) jumped 11% to $50.08 after it reported its first-quarter results this morning that were inline with estimates.