![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6921489.1718074294!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'People get very sick': Manitoba sees rise in rare, potentially fatal bacterial infection
A rise in cases of a rare bacterial infection in Manitoba has prompted health officials to issue a warning.
North American markets were flat on a low volume trading day to close off the week, with one analyst said investors are waiting for a sense of direction.
Allan Small, senior investment advisor with IA Private Wealth, said the current situation with rising COVID-19 cases has left a feeling of uncertainty around which direction central banks will take around interest rate changes or tapering stimulus.
“There really doesn't seem to be any leading indicator or direction for the market today,” said Small, who said increases in equities over the past week have simply been because upward is the path of least resistance in the current environment.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 15.53 points at 35,515.38. The S&P 500 index was up 7.17 points at 4,468.00, while the Nasdaq composite was up 6.64 points at 14,822.90.
The S&P/TSX composite index was down 2.53 points at 20,518.07.
In Toronto, rising precious metal prices saved Canada's main stock exchange from having a worse day.
The December gold contract was up US$26.40 at US$1,782.40 an ounce and the September copper contract was up 3.1 cents at US$4.39 a pound. The TSX's gold index was up 1.77 per cent and it's materials index was up 1.38 per cent as a result.
The energy sector lagged on the TSX Friday, with that subindex down 1.4 per cent. The September crude oil contract was down 65 cents at US$68.44 per barrel and the September natural gas contract was down 7.2 cents at US$3.86 per mmBTU.
Looking ahead, Canadian inflation numbers that are set to come out next Wednesday could begin to give the market a reason to move one way or another.
Small also said an upcoming election could also have an impact, but said movement would likely be based on whether the Liberal government claims a majority or not, rather than the campaign itself. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to trigger an election on Sunday by asking Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament.
“It could affect our dollar and interest rates going forward,” said Small, who pointed out that in the meantime, August and September can be weak months in investing.
“I would not be surprised to see some softening in the markets in the coming weeks,” said Small.
That softness would be in spite of a strong season for second quarter reports, where many North American companies have met expectations without seeing substantial movements in their stock.
“Even though earnings were fantastic this past quarter, we're at the top end for a lot of these corporations in terms of valuation,” said Small.
“It's tough to buy them with these valuations and it's tough to put money to work.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2021.
A rise in cases of a rare bacterial infection in Manitoba has prompted health officials to issue a warning.
Residents of some provinces are being warned of extreme heat this week, while elsewhere, some saw record-breaking lows this weekend.
A third girl accused in the death of a homeless Toronto man has pleaded guilty.
A Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship collided near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Monday, China's coast guard said, in the latest flare-up of escalating territorial disputes that have sparked alarm.
A new report says travellers are paying significantly more to fly within Canada this summer compared with last year.
The Trooping the Colour marked the first public outing this year for the Princess of Wales, who has not been seen at any official royal engagements since December 2023. We now know that was due to abdominal surgery and preventive chemotherapy, with no return to public life anytime soon. But the Princess of Wales chose this occasion to soft launch her return to royal life, and it was eagerly anticipated.
An Indian man suspected by the U.S. of involvement in an unsuccessful plot to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil has been extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic, the Czech justice minister said on Monday.
The Transportation Safety Board says other unregistered submersibles have been operating within Canadian waters since the Titan made its doomed descent to view the Titanic wreck one year ago.
Gordon Ramsay says he's grateful to be alive but shaken after a recent cycling accident in Connecticut.
For some, living on the moon is an idea that is truly out of this world. But for others, it’s a concept edging closer to reality.
Halifax chef Lauren Marshall was working in the Bahamas on a special event in February when she fainted and fell from a golf cart, hitting the back of her head.
The thunderstorm that hit Ottawa Thursday evening was accompanied by heavy rain and lightning that struck a house in Orléans.
Canadian and U.S. ironworkers shook hands across the border as the Gordie Howe bridge deck officially becomes an international crossing.
Age may be just a number to George Steciuk, but it’s just one of many that add up to one inspirational athlete.
It has taken more than 100 years, but Almonte’s forgotten soldier, George B. Monterville has had his name etched back into history.
For Father's Day, CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca reached out to local politicians, community advocates, and other prominent figures in the city to ask them to share what important lesson they have learned from their dads.
Fancy Pokket owner Mike Timani has decided to create a 220-foot long flat bread to celebrate its 35th anniversary.
If certain goals that are in the Paris Climate Accord aren't met, the existence of polar bears in the Hudson Bay may come to an end.