(Reuters) - Canada's main stock index was set to end six sessions of gains on Tuesday, as energy and gold stocks fell against the backdrop of a global downturn in sentiment due to concerns over a virus outbreak in China.
At 09:42 a.m. ET (14:42 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 54.06 points, or 0.31%, at 17,543.33, retreating from an all-time high hit in the last session.
Markets worldwide fell after authorities in China confirmed that the new strain of coronavirus could spread through human contact, reporting 15 medical staff had been infected and a sixth person had died. [MKTS/GLOB]
Locally, data on Tuesday showed Canadian factory sales decreased by 0.6% in November from October on lower sales in primary metals.
Investors focus will be on the Bank of Canada interest rate decision on Wednesday. A Reuters poll showed majority participants confident that monetary policy would remain unchanged this year as a revival in the Canadian economy may already be underway.
The energy sector dropped 0.9% as U.S. crude prices were down 0.7% a barrel, while Brent crude lost 0.9%. [O/R]
The materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, lost 1.3% as gold futures fell 0.2% to $1,555.1 an ounce. However, safe-haven demand capped losses for the yellow metal. [GOL/] [MET/L]
The financials sector slipped 0.3%, while the industrials sector fell 0.6%.
On the TSX, 59 issues were higher, while 168 issues declined for a 2.85-to-1 ratio to the downside, with 22.99 million shares traded.
The largest percentage gainer on the TSX was Aphria Inc (TO:APHA), which jumped 3.6%, after its unit got approval to supply medical cannabis in the European Union and as Alliance Global Partners initiated coverage with "buy".
Shares of fuel cell products maker Ballard Power (TO:BLDP) fell 13.3%, the most on the TSX, followed by toymaker Spin Master Corp (TO:TOY), down 13.1% after it said it expects a decline in 2019 gross product sales.
The most heavily-traded shares by volume were Bombardier (TO:BBDb), down 0.8%, Royal Bank of Canada (TO:RY), down 0.2%, and Aphria Inc (TO:APHA), up 3.6%.
The TSX posted 7 new 52-week highs and one new low.
Across all Canadian issues there were 43 new 52-week highs and 8 new lows, with total volume of 38.15 million shares.