TSX dips as growth worries weigh; First Quantum slumps

• Shares of Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd followed with a 7.2pc fall after the miner said it would buy Barkerville Gold Mines for C$338 million.
• Stocks globally took a hit from a survey that showed euro zone business growth stalled this month.

Canada's main stock index fell from record highs on Monday as fresh signs of weakness in the euro zone and worries about a US-China trade deal kept investors on the sidelines, while shares in First Quantum Minerals Ltd slumped 10pc after the miner denied takeover talks.

First Quantum was the biggest decliner on the main index after it said it had no knowledge of any potential takeover bids but confirmed it was in talks with Jiangxi Copper for a potential sale of a minority interest in its Zambian copper assets.

Shares of Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd followed with a 7.2pc fall after the miner said it would buy Barkerville Gold Mines for C$338 million.

The weakness came despite domestic data showing an unexpected jump in July wholesale trade on stronger sales in the personal and household goods subsector, as well as motor vehicles and parts.

Stocks globally took a hit from a survey that showed euro zone business growth stalled this month, raising fears of a global slowdown. Canadian financial stocks were down 0.5pc.

Price of oil, one of Canada's major exports, dropped due to the prospect of a faster-than-expected full restoration of Saudi oil output, dragging the energy sector lower by 0.14pc.

At 10:26 a.m. ET (1426 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 25.22 points, or 0.15pc, at 16,874.47.

The materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 0.3pc as gold futures rose to over a one-week high.

With spot silver price up over 3pc, top gainers on the TSX were MAG Silver Corp and First Majestic Silver Corp, both gaining about 5pc.

The most heavily traded shares by volume were Black Iron Inc, First Quantum and Aurora Cannabis.

On the TSX, 116 issues were higher, while 118 issues declined for a 1.02-to-1 ratio to the downside, with 26.85 million shares traded.

The TSX posted five new 52-week highs and no new lows.

Across all Canadian issues, there were 22 new 52-week highs and five new lows, with total volume of 50.29 million shares.