The TSX composite was higher, gaining 1.76 points to 12,745.87 in mid-morning trading on Thursday. The Dow was up 53.88 to 14,509.16, while NASDAQ rose 8.76 to 3,253.88.
Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX: T.ARZ, Stock Forum), attempting to fend off a hostile takeover from Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: T.AGI, Stock Forum), said its net quarterly profit was $9.4 million or six cents a share, which met expectations. However, it was less than half the 13 cents per share reported a year earlier. Aurizon fell 0.45% to 4.39 in mid-morning trading.
Eurozone finance ministers will meet separately on March 15 to discuss a bailout for Cyprus.
The price of gold dropped US$1.46 to US$1,586.13 an ounce, while silver slipped US$0.13 to U$28.79 an ounce.