MONEY IN BRIEF

Currencies

These are indicative wholesale rates for foreign currency provided by the Bank of Canada on Monday. Quotations in Canadian funds. Australia dollar 1.0096

Brazil real 0.3935

China renminbi 0.2027

Euro 1.5805

Hong Kong dollar 0.1636

India rupee 0.01974

Indonesia rupiah 0.000093

Japan yen 0.01205

Malaysia ringgit 0.3286

Mexico peso 0.06887

N.Z. dollar 0.9359

Norway krone 0.1653

Peruvian new sol 0.3937

Russia rouble 0.02255

Saudi riyal 0.3421

Singapore dollar 0.9767

South Africa rand 0.10850

South Korean won 0.001204 Sweden krona 0.1556 Switzerland franc 1.3528 Taiwanese dollar 0.04383 Thailand baht 0.04098

Turkey lira 0.3340

U.K. pound 1.7827

U.S. dollar 1.2830

Vietnam dong 0.000056

Financial highlights

Highlights at the close Monday at world financial market trading. Stocks:

S&P/TSX Composite Index – 15,604.79, up 26.98 points Dow – 25,178.61, down 157.13 points

S&P 500 – 2,783.02, down 3.55 points

Nasdaq – 7,588.32, up 27.51 points (record high) Currencies:

Cdn – 77.94 cents US, up 0.06 of a cent

Pound – C$1.7827, up 0.39 of a cent

Euro – C$1.5805, down 0.04 of a cent

Euro – US$1.2319, up 0.07 of a cent

Oil futures:

US$61.36, down 68 cents (April contract)

Gold futures:

US$1,320.80 per oz., down $3.20 (April contract)

Canadian Fine Silver Handy and Harman:

$22.043, down 25.4 cents $708.68 kg., down $8.17

The markets today

TORONTO (CP) — Canada’s main stock index closed higher Monday while U.S. markets were mixed as questions continue about the potential impacts of metal tariffs. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 26.98 points to 15,604.79 on a day that saw gold and base metals move higher while energy stocks weighed on the market. Despite recent gains the index is still down four per cent year to date, with Canada’s markets still lacking the sparks of the U.S. economy, said Michael Currie, vice-president of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice.

“We’re just seeing more flatness, no real catalysts on Canada to get it going... it’s hard for Canada to really get moving forward as long as the energy sector stays down.” The story was different in the U.S., where continued worries about the steel and aluminum tariff implications helped push industrial stocks down on the Dow, while technology stocks continued their push higher. While Canada and Mexico are exempt from the tariffs, European countries are still seeking clarity so big industrial companies that could be affected by disruptions there – including Boeing and Caterpillar Inc. – were down, said Currie. Meanwhile, technology stocks such as Apple and Microsoft hit new highs Monday.