24.04.202613:18:02UTC+00TSX Futures Flat Amid US-Iran Standoff

Futures linked to the S&P/TSX Composite Index were little changed on Friday as investors weighed escalating tensions between the US and Iran, which have kept oil prices elevated amid uncertainty over a fragile ceasefire. Tehran responded to the US blockade by asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz, and with few signs that the passage will fully reopen in the near term, Brent crude prices have climbed. The move is fueling inflation worries and global growth concerns, adding pressure on major banks and the broader Canadian benchmark.

At the same time, Canadian producer prices rose 2.4% month-on-month in March, driven by sharp increases in energy, petroleum products, and chemical costs tied to the Iran-related disruption. The data strengthen expectations that the central bank may need to raise interest rates, a prospect that could further weigh on equity valuations.

On the corporate front, retail shares are poised to open higher, supported by March sales estimates that point to a third straight monthly increase. Technology stocks are also expected to find support, tracking positive sentiment from strong US first-quarter 2026 earnings results in the sector.