Markets Slip as Trade Tensions Return
Markets pulled back this week as weakness in technology and commodities weighed on major indexes across North America.
Markets pulled back this week as weakness in technology and commodities weighed on major indexes across North America. At the same time, renewed uncertainty around the future of CUSMA has investors watching trade policy just as closely as earnings and economic data. Against that backdrop, shifts in Canada’s auto production landscape continue to highlight how supply chains and global demand are reshaping domestic industry.
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Here's how some major markets/indexes performed in the last 5-days:
- Dow Jones: 49,642 (-0.81%)
- Nasdaq 100: 24,889 (-0.26%)
- TSX: 33,034 (1.70%)
- BTC: 69,283 (-1.45%)
- Ethereum: 2,061 (-1.30%)
(USD)
As of 02/13/2026 at 11:00AM PST
Markets Slide as Risk Appetite Fades
Catch Up
Canadian and U.S. equities moved lower after a broad risk-off session rattled global markets. Technology weakness and falling commodity prices weighed heavily on sentiment.
What Happened
- Canada’s main stock index dropped sharply, with technology and materials sectors leading the decline.
- Precious metals also pulled back, adding pressure to resource-heavy benchmarks.
- U.S. markets followed a similar pattern, as investors rotated out of growth stocks and toward safer assets.
Why It Matters
Pullbacks tied to sector rotation and commodity swings are common during uncertain periods and don’t necessarily signal a change in the broader trend. For investors, the move highlights sensitivity to rates, growth expectations, and positioning — but also underscores how quickly sentiment can shift when markets have been running strong.
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Honda and Toyota Anchor Canadian Auto Production
Catch Up
Canada’s vehicle manufacturing landscape is increasingly concentrated among a small group of global automakers, with Japanese brands playing an outsized role in domestic output.
What Happened
- Honda and Toyota accounted for the majority of vehicles assembled in Canada in recent production data.
- Output from some North American producers has shifted amid plant retooling, model changes, and broader industry adjustments.
- The shift reflects evolving demand patterns and investment priorities across the auto sector, including changes tied to electrification and trade dynamics.
Why It Matters
A concentrated production base can stabilize manufacturing activity but also ties sector performance to the decisions of a few companies. For investors, that raises the importance of monitoring capital spending plans, model pipelines, and cross-border trade policy — all of which can influence suppliers, parts manufacturers, and regional employment trends tied to the auto industry.
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CUSMA Review Raises Trade Uncertainty
Catch Up
North America’s main trade agreement is back in focus as political signals from Washington introduce uncertainty ahead of a scheduled review later this year.
What Happened
- U.S. leadership has recently floated the possibility of withdrawing from CUSMA, despite previously championing the pact.
- The agreement now faces several paths: renewal, renegotiation, or a withdrawal process that would begin a transition period before any changes take effect.
- At the same time, U.S. lawmakers voted to remove certain tariffs on Canadian imports, though the measure could still face resistance at the executive level.
- Even in a withdrawal scenario, trade terms would not change immediately and negotiations between partners could continue.
Why It Matters
Canada’s export-driven economy relies heavily on stable U.S. access, making trade policy a key driver of business confidence and investment decisions. The possibility of renegotiation introduces volatility for manufacturers, energy producers, and supply-chain-linked sectors, while also creating leverage for new terms. For investors, the timeline suggests risk headlines may come well before any real economic impact.
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📢 This Week's Selected Company News:
Agnico Eagle Posts Strong Quarterly Profit
Agnico Eagle Mines reported a sharp year-over-year increase in fourth-quarter earnings, reflecting higher gold prices and strong operating performance. The results highlight continued momentum across the gold sector as producers benefit from elevated metal prices and improved margins.
Instacart Shares Rise as CEO Defends Grocery Strategy
Instacart’s stock moved higher after leadership expressed confidence in the company’s position within the online grocery market, emphasizing demand trends and differentiation from competitors. The comments signaled continued investment in the platform’s growth strategy as competition intensifies across delivery and retail ecosystems.
Anthropic Valuation Surges Amid AI Competition
AI developer Anthropic reached an estimated $380 billion valuation following a major funding round, underscoring continued investor appetite for advanced artificial intelligence platforms. The move intensifies competition across the sector as companies race to scale enterprise AI tools and infrastructure.
📬 That’s a wrap for this week!
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