The Toronto Stock Exchange was seeing gains Monday despite losses on U.S. markets, thanks largely to the heavy influence of energy and financial stocks in Canada.
At midday, the S&P/TSX composite index was up about 15 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 12,220.
On the commodities markets, crude oil was down 74 cents to $75.75 U.S. a barrel in New York after earlier gains, while gold fell 40 cents to $1,297.70 U.S. an ounce.
The Canadian dollar was down 15 basis points 97.35 cents U.S..
Reports indicated China's state-owned Sinochem Group is emerging as the most likely rival bidder to BHP Billiton Ltd. for control of Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc.
Elsewhere, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. offered more than $4 billion U.S. for South African retail Massmart, and Japan's government was considering launching another economic-stimulus program. Bond markets were indicating increasing concern over the fiscal health of European governments such as Ireland and Greece.
On U.S. markets, the Dow Jones industrial average was down about 30 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 10,830 at midday. The Nasdaq composite index fell around 10 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 2,370.
Overseas, it was mostly declines in Europe but gains in Asia.
