Today in the markets
U.S. stocks were down Thursday for the second day in a row amid ongoing weaknesses in Europe, a slew of economic reports and quarterly results from Wal-Mart.
Canadian stocks closed lower as traders worry that the U.S. Federal Reserve will end its open-ended stimulus program of bond purchases by the end of the year.
The S&P/TSX Composite was down 74.08 points to 12,639.97, while the TSX Venture Exchange gained 2.80 points to close at 1,133.97.
Active stocks included Hewlett-Packard Co., (NYSE: HPQ, Stock Forum), which rose 2.4% to $17.10 before reporting first-quarter results after the close.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT, Stock Forum) climbed 1.5% to $70.26 after the retailer posted better than expected fourth quarter profits, while hiking its dividend.
In Canada, shares in home improvement retailer Rona Inc. (TSX: T.RON, Stock Forum) fell 3.8% to $11.60 as the company said it is cutting 200 full-time administrative jobs.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Thursday’s trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report