Today in the markets
U.S. stocks were up slightly Monday as Apple declined amid reports of reduced orders for iPhone parts as investors eyed corporate earnings reports.
Canadian stocks finished in positive terrain as oil and gold prices were mixed and investors reacted to a handful of big deals in the mining sector.
The S&P/TSX Composite rose 0.91 points to 12,603.09, while the TSX Venture Exchange edged down 10.72 points to close at 1,229.53.
Active stocks included Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ, Stock Forum), which climbed 5% to $16.95 after J.P Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM, Stock Forum) upgraded the personal computer maker to neutral from underweight.
But International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM, Stock Forum) dropped 1% to $192.62 after J.P. Morgan downgraded the stock to neutral from overweight.
In Canada, Harry Winston Diamond Corp. (TSX: T.HW, Stock Forum) (NYSE: HWD, Stock Forum) added 4.4% to $14.90 on news that the company has signed a deal to sell its namesake retail jewelry and watch division in a deal valued at $1 billion US in cash and assumed debt to Switzerland's Swatch Group.
Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX: T.ARZ, Stock Forum) was also active on news that it is the target of a takeover bid from Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: T.AGI, Stock Forum) that values Aurizon at $780 million or $4.65 per share in cash and stock. Aurizon jumped 33.4% to $4.55, while Alamos eased 12% to $14.90.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Monday’s trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report