TORONTO -- North American stock markets were little changed as the U.S. Federal Reserve hinted that economic conditions may soon be strong enough to support a rate hike.
The S&P/TSX composite index in Toronto shed 5.84 points to 14,697.60, with gold and materials stocks being the biggest weights.
New York markets were slightly positive, with the Dow Jones industrial average ahead 21.92 points to 18,573.94, while the broader S&P 500 gained 4.07 points to 2,182.22. The Nasdaq composite added 1.55 points to 5,228.66.
According to minutes from its July meeting, Fed officials said an improved economic outlook means a rate increase "was or would soon be warranted."
The Canadian dollar was flat, down 0.02 of a cent to 77.78 cents US.
There was also little movement in commodities. The September crude oil contract rose 21 cents to US$46.79 per barrel while September natural gas was unchanged at US$2.62 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract dropped $8.10 to US$1,348.80 an ounce and September copper contracts fell two cents to US$2.15 a pound.
