Today in the markets
U.S. stocks rose Tuesday, sending the Dow above 15,000 for the first time after Australia cut its refinancing rate, and investors assessed improved earnings from DireTV and Fossil Inc.
Canadian stocks also moved higher despite falling commodity prices and several reports from big name companies that disappointed traders.
The S&P/TSX Composite was up 10.19 points to 12,464.11, while the TSX Venture Exchange eased down 5.96 points to close at 961.42.
Active stocks included Fossil Inc (NASDAQ: FOSL, Stock Forum), which rose 9% to $107.88 after the seller of watches and handbags reported strong sales and better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter.
Shares of DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV, Stock Forum) climbed 7% to $61.95 after the provider of satellite-television services reported earnings above analysts expectations.
In Canada, George Weston Ltd. (TSX: T.WN, Stock Forum) reported an almost 34% increase in its first-quarter net earnings, due to foreign currency translation and amendments to its defined benefit pension plan among other things. However, earnings missed analyst expectations and the stock was off 0.25% to $80.89.
Husky Energy Inc. (TSX: T.HSE, Stock Forum) shares gave up 0.57% to $29.75 after it reported its first quarter profit was down from a year ago, as the price for its heavy crude oil came under pressure.
Investment Fund Takota Asset Management issued an open letter Tuesday, calling on the board of directors of Sherritt International Corp. (TSX: T.S, Stock Forum) to buy back shares and review the work of its Ambatovy nickel project in Madagascar.
However, the shares were almost unchanged, down 0.21% at $4.73 on Tuesday, leaving the company with a market cap of $1.4 billion, based on 296.9 million shares outstanding. The 52-week range is $6.17 and $4.17.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Tuesday's trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report