Bay Street Still In Cautious Mood -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks were flat again Thursday, unable to follow U.S. stocks sharply higher despite steady oil prices and easing concerns about the Middle East.

Markets reacted positively to a tweet from President Donald Trump saying there is no U.S. timetable for getting involved in the Syria conflict.

"Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our 'Thank you America?'" Trump tweeted.

The TSX Composite Index was up 15 points to 15,273 at last check.

OPEC said output from non-Opec countries including the U.S. and Canada is "now expected to grow at a faster pace". It predicts growth by more than 1.7 million barrels a day this year, about double its previous forecast.

June WTI oil was up 20 cents, or 0.3%, at $67.02/bbl, the highest since 2014.

Shaw Communications Inc. (SJR_B.TO, SJR, SJR_A.TO) confirmed that it remains on track to meet its fiscal 2018 guidance. Shares surged up 9.2 percent.

CCL Industries Inc.(CCL_A.TO) said it acquired Bolt-on for its Avery division. Shares rose fractionally.

Prometic Life Sciences Inc. (PLI) announced positive clinical activity observed in Alström syndrome (AS) patients treated with PBI-4050 in the ongoing Phase 2 open label clinical trial being conducted in the UK. Shares rose 3.8 percent.

Ontario candidate Doug Ford says if elected he will fire the CEO of Hydro One (H.TO) and the company's board of directors after rate increases.