P.M. market numbers: August 24, 2009

| North American markets | International markets | Bonds | Currency | Commodities |

The Toronto stock market closed lower Monday as financial stocks turned negative a day before the big Canadian banks start reporting quarterly earnings while energy stocks were flat even as oil prices continued to climb.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 41.21 points to 10,789.97.

The Toronto energy sector rose 0.41% as oil prices continued to rise amid spreading optimism about a global economic recovery. The October crude contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange was up 36 cents to US$74.25 a barrel.

The TSX had started the day higher as positive momentum carried on from Friday, when Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke declared that the economy is on the verge of recovery and U.S. home resales posted the largest monthly increase in at least 10 years.

Statistics Canada says sales rose a much better than expected one per cent, a big improvement from the 0.1% dip that economists were expecting. However, the agency says that most of the gain was driven by higher prices, especially for gasoline.

In the rest of the automotive sector, sales rose 2.2% at used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers. Sales at new car dealers increased 0.4% in June after a strong gain in May.

The Canadian dollar was ahead 0.42 of a cent to 92.85 cents U.S.

In New York, financials also led the way to a weak session after a four-day advance.

The Dow Jones industrials also turned weak during the afternoon, edging up 3.32 points to 9,509.28.

The Nasdaq composite index moved 2.92 points lower to 2,017.98, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.57 of a point to 1,025.56.

Analysts have been warning that the market’s upbeat mood could be put to the test with reports this week on consumer confidence and housing. Consumers are still struggling and improved consumer confidence and spending is widely seen as one of the keys that could help end the recession.

The December bullion contract fell $11 to US$952.90 an ounce while the September copper contract was ahead 3.45 cents at US$2.86 a pound.

(THE CANADIAN PRESS)

North American markets

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	Close	Change	YTD
Dow Jones	9,509.28	+3.32 or +0.03%	+8.35%
S&P 500	1,025.57	-0.56 or -0.05%	+13.54%
NASDAQ	2,017.98	-2.92 or -0.14%	+27.96%
TSX Composite	10,789.97	-41.21 or -0.38%	+20.05%

International markets

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	Close	Change	YTD
Nikkei	10,581.05	+342.85 or +3.35%	+19.43%
Hang Seng	20,535.94	+336.92 or 1.67%	+42.73%
SENSEX	15,628.75	+387.92 or +2.55%	+62.00%
FTSE 100	4,896.23	+45.34 or +0.93%	+10.42%
CAC 40	3,652.17	+36.36 or +1.01%	+13.49%
DAX	5,519.75	+57.01 or +1.04%	+14.75%

Bonds

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Bonds	$Current	$Previous	%Yield
Cdn. 10-year bond	102.70	103.06	3.42
Cdn. 30-year bond	118.39	118.79	3.91
U.S. 10-year bond	101.25	101.75	3.48
U.S. 30-year bond	103.75	104.59	4.27

Currency

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BoC Close	Today	Previous
Canadian $	0.9285	0.9197
US $	1.0770	1.0873

Euro Spot Rate	Today	Previous
Canadian $	0.6496	0.6451
Euro	1.5395	1.5502

Commodities

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Gold	AM	PM
London Gold Fix ($US)	$953.75	$951.50

Oil	Close	Change
WTI Crude Future (US)	$73.96	+$0.07 or +0.09%

(08/24/09)