(Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell on Wednesday after data showed manufacturing activity in March hit a nine-year low in some of the clearest evidence yet of the domestic economic damage from the spreading coronavirus pandemic.
* The IHS Markit Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' index (PMI), fell to a seasonally adjusted 46.1 in March, the lowest in data going back to October 2010. A reading below 50 shows contraction in the sector.
* Adding to the alarm was a rising death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Canada, which jumped by 35% to 89 in less than a day on Tuesday, and the major province of Quebec said it was running low on key medical equipment.
* At 9:54 a.m. ET (1354 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (GSPTSE) was down 285.38 points, or 2.13%, at 13,093.37.
* Ten of the index's 11 major sectors were trading lower, with only the material sector (GSPTTMT) trading 0.4% higher.
* Mounting fears that the near-global lockdown to fight the coronavirus pandemic would spark a deep economic downturn prompted safe-haven buying of gold, shoring up the yellow metal's prices. [GOL/]
* The energy sector (SPTTEN) fell 1% as oil prices dropped after a report showed a big rise in U.S. inventories and a widening rift within OPEC heightened oversupply concerns. [O/R]
* U.S. crude (CLc1) prices were down 0.5% a barrel, while Brent crude (LCOc1) lost 4.3%.
* On the TSX, 41 issues were higher, while 188 issues declined for a 4.59-to-1 ratio to the downside, with 46.18 million shares traded.
* The largest percentage gainer on the TSX was Corus Entertainment (TO:CJRb), which jumped 9.6%, after reporting better-than-expected profit during the second quarter.
* Blackberry Ltd (TO:BB) fell 14%, the most on the TSX, after reporting quarterly results.
* Canadian dollar-store operator Dollarama Inc (TO:DOL) said it had seen a surge in current-quarter sales as consumers stocked up on everyday essentials fearing lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic, but suspended its current fiscal-year forecast. Its shares fell 2%.
* The most heavily traded shares by volume were those of Suncor Energy (TO:SU), Canadian Natural Resources (TO:CNQ) and Bank of Nova Scotia (TO:BNS).
* The TSX posted no new 52-week high and two new lows.
* Across all Canadian issues there were one new 52-week high and eight new lows, with total volume of 72.37 million shares.