BoC Rate Decision, U.S. Inflation Data To Set Up The Stage For Canadian Stocks

(RTTNews) - The Bank of Canada's interest rate decision and the post meet press conference, as well as U.S. inflation data, will set the trend for stocks on Bay Street Wednesday morning.

The Canadian central bank, scheduled to announce its interest rate decision at 9:45 AM ET, is widely expected to lower its benchmark rate by 50 basis points.

Investors will also be reacting to U.S. consumer price inflation data.

The Canadian market closed weak on Tuesday, weighed down by losses in healthcare and technology sectors. Stocks from energy and real estate sectors too found the going tough.

The mood was cautious with investors looking ahead to the Bank of Canada's interest rate decision and U.S. consumer price inflation data, due on Wednesday.

The Canadian central bank is widely expected to cut interest rate by 50 basis points.

Roots Corporation (ROOT.TO) reported a net income of $2.4 million for the third quarter, compared to net income of $0.5 million in the year-ago quarter.

Bausch + Lomb Corporation (BLCO.TO) announced that its affiliate has acquired Elios Vision for an undisclosed sum. The company said the acquisition "unlocks new opportunities to treat glaucoma effectively in conjunction with cataract surgery without implants" and bolsters Bausch + Lomb's glaucoma portfolio, which features pharmaceutical and surgical approaches.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index, which remained in negative territory right through the session, closed down 121.09 points or 0.47% at 25,504.33.

Asian stocks ended mixed on Wednesday as traders awaited key U.S. CPI data due later in the day that could influence the Federal Reserve's interest -rate decision next week. Investors also braced for China's two-day Central Economic Work Conference that is expected to map out policies for next year.

European stocks have recovered after a weak start and are slightly up in cautious trade as investors await U.S. consumer price inflation data due later in the day, and the European Central Bank's monetary policy announcement on Thursday.

In commodities, West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures are up $0.98 or about 1.43% at $69.57 a barrel.

Gold futures are gaining $8.50 or 0.32% at $2,726.90 an ounce, while Silver futures are down $0.152 or 0.46% at $32.595 an ounce.