The TSX composite was slightly higher, rising 4.41 points to 12,458.33 in mid-morning trading on Tuesday. The Dow was up 45.35 to 15,014.24, while NASDAQ lost 1.88 to 3,391.08.
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (TSX: T.FM, Stock Forum) reported a rise in adjusted earnings, helped by higher sales volumes and its recent acquisition of Inmet Mining Corp. It was up 0.60% to $17.695 in mid-morning trading.
German factory orders, adjusted for seasonal swings and inflation, increased 2.2% from February, when they also advanced 2.2%, the Economy Ministry said.
The price of gold dropped US$24.04 to US$1,445.15 an ounce, while silver slipped US$0.32 to U$23.69 an ounce.