Today in the markets
U.S. stocks fell Thursday as the U.S. dollar hit 100 yen and the U.S. Department of labour said jobless claims dropped by 4,000 last week to a lower than expected 323,000.
Canadian stocks advanced, as the technology sector got a boost from reports that U.S. business magnate Carl Icahn bought shares in Blackberry.
The S&P/TSX Composite was down 41.15 points to 12,543.90, while the TSX Venture Exchange gained 0.41 points to close at 969.73.
Active stocks included Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS, Stock Forum), which jumped 24% to $22.08 on a report that Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT, Stock Forum) is mulling a $1 billion offer for the digital assets of Nook Media, a joint venture between the bookseller and other investors.
Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA, Stock Forum) leapt 24% to $69.40 a day after the electric car maker reported its first profitable quarter.
In Canada, BlackBerry (TSX: T.BB, Stock Forum) was up 4% to $15.49 amid buzz that U.S. business magnate Carl Icahn bought shares in the smartphone maker.
Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. (TSX: CTC.A, Stock Forum) rose 11.2% to $82.36 after the hardware retailer said it plans to create a $3.5 billion real estate investment trust, with an initial public offering this year. Canadian Tire also reported higher first quarter profits.
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (TSX: BAM.A, Stock Forum) dropped 2% to $38.48 after reporting that its profits in the latest quarter declined from $722 million to $697 million.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Thursday’s trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report