Today in the markets
U.S. stocks were up Tuesday, with increased payment rates for some health insurers boosting the sector.
Canadian stocks were lower, weighed down by sinking gold stocks, which were reacting to a drop in the price of bullion, as investors shifted into riskier assets.
The S&P/TSX Composite was down 13.04 points to 12,682.10, while the TSX Venture Exchange eased 20.46 points to close at 1,069.10.
Active stocks included UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH, Stock Forum), which led the gains among all but seven of the Dow’s 30 components. The health insurer rallied 4.7% to $61.74.
Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ, Stock Forum) dropped 5.2% to $22.10 after Goldman Sachs downgraded the high-tech giant to sell from neutral.
In Canada, Silvercorp Metals Inc. (TSX: T.SVM, Stock Forum) (NYSE: SVM, Stock Forum) fell 11% to $3.54 following a Globe and Mail report that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the Vancouver company and has issued a subpoena to the firm requesting all documentation relating to the company’s long running battle with short sellers.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Tuesday’s trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report