The TSX composite was marginally higher, rising 0.45 points to 12,603.54 in mid-morning trading on Tuesday. The Dow was down 5.04 to 13,483.39, while NASDAQ lost 17.06 to 3,100.44.
Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX: T.ARZ, Stock Forum) said that it was reviewing the unsolicited takeover proposal it received from rival gold miner Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: T.AGI, Stock Forum) and advised its shareholders to hold off on taking any action at this time. Aurizon's stock rose 1.1% to $4.60 a share.
The price of gold rose US$14.29 to US$1,682.10 an ounce, while silver eased US$0.26 to U$31.31 an ounce.