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Stock market news live: Stocks boosted after Monday's deep sell-off; Trump talks coronavirus response – Yahoo Canada Finance

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Stocks jumped Tuesday, offering some respite from selling after Monday’s declines sent the Dow off by its largest percentage drop since Black Monday of 1987.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="[Read more: Coronavirus jitters send Dow swooning to worst-ever point loss, closes at near 3-year low]” data-reactid=”17″>[Read more: Coronavirus jitters send Dow swooning to worst-ever point loss, closes at near 3-year low]

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Stocks took a sharp turn higher after the Trump administration discussed further measures to help the American people and companies most hurt by the fall-out from the coronavirus outbreak. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday during a White House press briefing around noon that “the president wants to give cash now” to the public, and is discussing doing so in the next two weeks.” data-reactid=”18″>Stocks took a sharp turn higher after the Trump administration discussed further measures to help the American people and companies most hurt by the fall-out from the coronavirus outbreak. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday during a White House press briefing around noon that “the president wants to give cash now” to the public, and is discussing doing so in the next two weeks.

Mnuchin also said the administration “believe in keeping the markets open,” but is considering shortening market hours eventually amid the outbreak.

A day earlier, President Donald Trump had offered a grim assessment of the coronavirus outbreak during a press conference Monday afternoon, acknowledging that the U.S. “may be” heading toward a recession, after which he predicted growth would rebound strongly. He also said that the coronavirus outbreak and response measures from the U.S. could last until August.

Based on the stock market’s historically steep declines over the past few weeks, market participants have already priced in a recession, according to Fundstrat Head of Research Tom Lee.

“Over the past month, equity markets and financial assets broadly, have been attempting to price in the dual shock of a pandemic and the sudden collapse in oil prices (which is viewed by markets as negative given effect on high-yield and drilling-related GDP),” Lee wrote in a note late Monday. “Already, equity markets are down 30% from their highs and as we noted last week, this is pricing in >100% probability of a recession (based on price decline).”

“Since 1900, there have been 22 equity drawdowns of 20% or more and the current 30% slide would rank #14 overall,” he added. “Notably, the typical bear market during a recession period is 30%, so the S&P 500 has already discounted a recession.”

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The U.S. government, however, has also underscored a willingness to provide at least some aid to individuals and corporations most affected by the outbreak to soften the blow to the economy as much as possible. In his remarks Monday, Trump vowed to “back the airlines 100%,” with air carriers having been hit hard by a steep drop-off in travel demand. Earlier in Monday, the industry on had requested more than $58 billion in government aid to survive amid the current circumstances.” data-reactid=”24″>The U.S. government, however, has also underscored a willingness to provide at least some aid to individuals and corporations most affected by the outbreak to soften the blow to the economy as much as possible. In his remarks Monday, Trump vowed to “back the airlines 100%,” with air carriers having been hit hard by a steep drop-off in travel demand. Earlier in Monday, the industry on had requested more than $58 billion in government aid to survive amid the current circumstances.

In Congress, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a revised multi-billion coronavirus emergency bill Monday evening and sent it up to the Senate for a vote. The package would include at least $750 billion to combat disruptions from the coronavirus outbreak, providing funds for hospitals, expanded unemployment insurance, small businesses and food aid.

The situation overseas also continues to evolve, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying Monday that the country would guarantee up to 300 billion euros worth of bank loans to companies and allow them to delay paying taxes and social security contributions amid the outbreak. Macron also ordered citizens to stay at home and only leave for essential duties, mirroring efforts in other countries and municipalities hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak.

Elsewhere in Europe, Germany on Monday closed its borders to neighboring nations except for commercial travel, and the European Commission proposed a temporary ban on non-essential travel to the European Union as a whole. In North America, Canada closed its borders to most non-residents, offering some exemptions including for U.S. citizens.

As travel grinds to a halt, economists are increasingly bracing for a major hit to global GDP growth in 2020.

“In a realistic scenario where travel and tourism dropped by 50% in four or five months, annual global GDP growth would be reduced by about 0.7 percentage points,” Jennifer McKeown, head of global economics service as Capital Economics, wrote in a note Tuesday. “Indirect effects or disruption to domestic travel could make the hit even harder. What’s more, the strain on insurers and airlines is adding to the risk of a financial crisis.”

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="1:00 p.m. ET: United Auto Workers seeking 2-week shutdown” data-reactid=”34″>1:00 p.m. ET: United Auto Workers seeking 2-week shutdown
FILE- This Jan. 16, 2019, file photo shows a GMC Sierra pickup, left, and Denali in Detroit. General Motors' posted an $8.1 billion net profit last year as it got better prices for vehicles sold in the U.S., its most lucrative market. The performance was far better than the previous year, when the company lost $3.9 billion due to a giant tax accounting charge.(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

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FILE- This Jan. 16, 2019, file photo shows a GMC Sierra pickup, left, and Denali in Detroit. General Motors’ posted an $8.1 billion net profit last year as it got better prices for vehicles sold in the U.S., its most lucrative market. The performance was far better than the previous year, when the company lost $3.9 billion due to a giant tax accounting charge.(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="As major swaths of the economy shut down to combat the COVID-19 surge, the UAW is seeking a moratorium on workers reporting for duty to the Big 3 auto makers (Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors and Ford). It comes as an increasing number of cities and states force the closure of cultural gathering places to prevent community spreading of the coronavirus.” data-reactid=”55″>As major swaths of the economy shut down to combat the COVID-19 surge, the UAW is seeking a moratorium on workers reporting for duty to the Big 3 auto makers (Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors and Ford). It comes as an increasing number of cities and states force the closure of cultural gathering places to prevent community spreading of the coronavirus.

According to Reuters:

UAW President Rory Gamble in a letter to members seen by Reuters said General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV were not willing to do so and instead asked “for 48 hours to put together plans to safeguard workers in their facilities.” The UAW said that period expires later today and the union will “evaluating what the companies submit today.”

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="FCAU, GM and F were all lower in Tuesday afternoon trading.” data-reactid=”59″>FCAU, GM and F were all lower in Tuesday afternoon trading.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="12:00 p.m. ET: Stocks jump to fresh session highs” data-reactid=”61″>12:00 p.m. ET: Stocks jump to fresh session highs

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Investors are trying to shake off the pandemic blues, taking major Wall Street benchmarks to fresh session highs, as President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin talk up the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Plans include a way to transfer cash to Americans “immediately” as entire swaths of the economy shut down.” data-reactid=”62″>Investors are trying to shake off the pandemic blues, taking major Wall Street benchmarks to fresh session highs, as President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin talk up the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Plans include a way to transfer cash to Americans “immediately” as entire swaths of the economy shut down.

“Americans need cash now and the president wants to give cash now,” Mnuchin said. “And I mean now, in the next two weeks.”

Here’s where the major benchmarks traded as of noon ET:

  • S&P 500 (^GSPC): 2,510.16, up 124.03 or 5.20%

  • Dow (^DJI): 20,947.57, up 759.05 or 3.76%

  • Nasdaq (^IXIC): 7,325.62, up 421.03 or 6.10%

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="11:00 a.m. ET: Boeing sinks to 6-year low” data-reactid=”70″>11:00 a.m. ET: Boeing sinks to 6-year low

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The one-two punch of the 737 MAX fiasco and the coronavirus pandemic has pushed Boeing’s stock (BA) to its lowest in over six years. Both the aerospace giant and the airlines that serve as its customers are seeking federal assistance as the COVID-19 crisis pummels supply chains and worldwide demand.” data-reactid=”75″>The one-two punch of the 737 MAX fiasco and the coronavirus pandemic has pushed Boeing’s stock (BA) to its lowest in over six years. Both the aerospace giant and the airlines that serve as its customers are seeking federal assistance as the COVID-19 crisis pummels supply chains and worldwide demand.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Boeing’s stock, traded on the New York Stock Exchange and one of the Dow’s (^DJI) 30 components, tumbled by over 15% on the day to under $110 per share.” data-reactid=”76″>Boeing’s stock, traded on the New York Stock Exchange and one of the Dow’s (^DJI) 30 components, tumbled by over 15% on the day to under $110 per share.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="10:45 a.m. ET: Federal Reserve relaunches Commercial Paper Funding Facility in move to help businesses get short-term funding” data-reactid=”78″>10:45 a.m. ET: Federal Reserve relaunches Commercial Paper Funding Facility in move to help businesses get short-term funding

The Federal Reserve said Tuesday it will reestablish its financial crisis-era Commerce Paper Funding Facility, a program helping give U.S. companies increased access to financing amid disruptions due to the coronavirus outbreak.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="“The commercial paper market has been under considerable strain in recent days as businesses and households face greater uncertainty in light of the coronavirus outbreak,” the Fed said in a statement.” data-reactid=”80″>“The commercial paper market has been under considerable strain in recent days as businesses and households face greater uncertainty in light of the coronavirus outbreak,” the Fed said in a statement.

The program will establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will purchase unsecured and asset-backed commercial paper from eligible companies as long as the paper is rated A1/P1 as of March 17. The facility will be available to companies across various industries and was opened with the approval of the U.S. Treasury, which will provide $10 billion of credit protection from its Exchange Stabilization Fund, the Fed said.

“By eliminating much of the risk that eligible issuers will not be able to repay investors by rolling over their maturing commercial paper obligations, this facility should encourage investors to once again engage in term lending in the commercial paper market,” the central bank said. “An improved commercial paper market will enhance the ability of businesses to maintain employment and investment as the nation deals with the coronavirus outbreak.”

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="READ MORE” data-reactid=”83″>READ MORE

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="10:11 a.m. ET: Stocks lose steam, Dow turns negative” data-reactid=”85″>10:11 a.m. ET: Stocks lose steam, Dow turns negative

The three major indices’ earlier advances were short-lived, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq quickly cutting gains and the Dow turning slightly negative about 30 minutes into Tuesday’s session. The Dow was off 0.06%, or 11.28 points, as of 10:11 a.m. ET.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="10:00 a.m. ET: Homebuilder sentiment dips more than expected in March” data-reactid=”88″>10:00 a.m. ET: Homebuilder sentiment dips more than expected in March

Sentiment for single-family homebuilders in the U.S. declined slightly more than expected March, in a survey that captured just the very early impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on builders’ confidence.

The National Association of Home Builders housing market index dropped two points to 72 in March from February, representing a still relatively high level. Consensus economists had expected the index to drop just one point to 73, according to Bloomberg data.

Half of the responses for the survey were collected prior to March 4, however, so the most recent impacts from the coronavirus on U.S. stocks and economic data were not entirely taken into account.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="“The rising economic impact of the coronavirus will be reflected more in next month's report," NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz said in a statement.” data-reactid=”92″>“The rising economic impact of the coronavirus will be reflected more in next month’s report,” NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz said in a statement.

“Overall, 21% of builders in the survey report some disruption in supply due to virus concerns in other countries such as China,” he added. “However, the incidence is higher among builders who responded to the survey after March 6, indicating that this is an emerging issue.”

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="9:36 a.m. ET: Stocks open higher as Wall Street in an at least momentary pause from selling” data-reactid=”95″>9:36 a.m. ET: Stocks open higher as Wall Street in an at least momentary pause from selling

U.S. stocks opened higher Tuesday morning, with each of the three major indices up more than 1.5%. The Dow added 300 points, but was still far from recovering its near 3,000-point loss from Monday’s session alone.

Here were the main moves in markets, as of 9:30 a.m. ET:

  • S&P 500 (^GSPC): 2,431.01, up 44.88 or +1.88%

  • Dow (^DJI): 20,494.77, up 306.25 or +1.52%

  • Nasdaq (^IXIC): 6,983.86, up 101.38 or +1.47%

  • Crude (CL=F): $28.59 per barrel, down $0.11 or -0.38%

  • Gold (GC=F): $1,486.40 per ounce, off -$0.10 or -0.01%

  • 10-year Treasury (^TNX): yielding 0.794%, up 6.6 basis points

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="9:25 a.m. ET: Wall Street is already declaring a global recession” data-reactid=”106″>9:25 a.m. ET: Wall Street is already declaring a global recession

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Stock’s ugly bear market, combined with the resulting shut-downs of major economies, has made Wall Street analysts waste no time in declaring a global recession. Within the last day or so, S&amp;P, Morgan Stanley, Barclays and Goldman Sachs have all predicted the world will see at least 2 quarters of negative GDP print as the COVID-19 crisis morphs from bad to worse in the Western world.” data-reactid=”107″>Stock’s ugly bear market, combined with the resulting shut-downs of major economies, has made Wall Street analysts waste no time in declaring a global recession. Within the last day or so, S&P, Morgan Stanley, Barclays and Goldman Sachs have all predicted the world will see at least 2 quarters of negative GDP print as the COVID-19 crisis morphs from bad to worse in the Western world.

“The initial data from China suggests that its economy was hit far harder than projected, though a tentative stabilization has begun,” S&P Global’s Chief Economist Paul Gruenwald said in a statement Tuesday. “Europe and the U.S. are following a similar path, as increasing restrictions on person-to-person contacts presage a demand collapse that will take activity sharply lower in the second quarter before a recovery begins later in the year.”

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="9:00 a.m. ET: Saudis to open oil spigots” data-reactid=”110″>9:00 a.m. ET: Saudis to open oil spigots

A picture taken on March 12, 2020 shows the logo of energy giant Saudi Aramco at the entrance of its main building in Riyadh. - Stock markets in energy-rich Gulf states tumbled with Saudi shares down 3.0 percent following worldwide losses amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic and an oil price war. Saudi Aramco dipped 3.0 percent and ended the week down 12.1 percent as the energy giant prepares to announce its first annual earnings. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)A picture taken on March 12, 2020 shows the logo of energy giant Saudi Aramco at the entrance of its main building in Riyadh. - Stock markets in energy-rich Gulf states tumbled with Saudi shares down 3.0 percent following worldwide losses amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic and an oil price war. Saudi Aramco dipped 3.0 percent and ended the week down 12.1 percent as the energy giant prepares to announce its first annual earnings. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

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A picture taken on March 12, 2020 shows the logo of energy giant Saudi Aramco at the entrance of its main building in Riyadh. – Stock markets in energy-rich Gulf states tumbled with Saudi shares down 3.0 percent following worldwide losses amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic and an oil price war. Saudi Aramco dipped 3.0 percent and ended the week down 12.1 percent as the energy giant prepares to announce its first annual earnings. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Making good on its unspoken promise to use low oil prices to its advantage, Saudi Arabia announced a plan to ramp up daily exports to a record 10 million barrels. This comes barely a week since its agreement with Russia ended in shambles, and sent crude prices through the floor.” data-reactid=”131″>Making good on its unspoken promise to use low oil prices to its advantage, Saudi Arabia announced a plan to ramp up daily exports to a record 10 million barrels. This comes barely a week since its agreement with Russia ended in shambles, and sent crude prices through the floor.

8:30 a.m. ET: U.S. retail sales unexpectedly drop 0.5% in February, missing expectations

U.S. retail sales unexpectedly declined in February as the coronavirus outbreak began to escalate domestically, underscoring a deeper than expected early economic hit from the pandemic.

Headline retail sales dropped 0.5% month on month in February, nearly fully reversing January’s upwardly revised 0.6% gain, the Census Bureau said Tuesday. Consensus economists had expected retail sales to rise 0.2%.

The drop was led by a 2.8% decline in gas sales amid a broad slump in energy prices in February. Electronics and appliance stores also posted large losses, with sales down 1.4% over last month.

Excluding more volatile auto and gas sales, retail sales dropped 0.2%, versus a rise of 0.3% expected. In January, retail sales excluding autos and gas had risen 0.7%.

8:15 a.m. ET: L Brands closes stores, withdraws guidance amid coronavirus outbreak

L Brands, the parent company of Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret, will temporarily close all of its U.S. and Canada retail locations Tuesday through March 29.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="“With the wellbeing of its customers, associates and communities as its top priority, and to help limit the spread of the Coronavirus,&nbsp;L Brands&nbsp;will temporarily close all&nbsp;Bath &amp; Body Works, Victoria’s Secret and PINK stores in&nbsp;the United States&nbsp;and&nbsp;Canada, effective&nbsp;March 17 through March 29, 2020,” the company said in a statement Tuesday.” data-reactid=”141″>“With the wellbeing of its customers, associates and communities as its top priority, and to help limit the spread of the Coronavirus, L Brands will temporarily close all Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret and PINK stores in the United States and Canada, effective March 17 through March 29, 2020,” the company said in a statement Tuesday.

All employees will continue to receive pay and benefits during the closure period, the company said.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The company also withdrew its previously issued earnings guidance, which had been for a 2020 adjusted loss of about 5 cents per share.” data-reactid=”143″>The company also withdrew its previously issued earnings guidance, which had been for a 2020 adjusted loss of about 5 cents per share.

7:57 a.m. ET: Stock futures up slightly in early trading

Futures for each of the three major indices were up slightly Tuesday morning, stabilizing after Monday’s steep declines.

Here were the main moves in markets, as of 7:58 a.m. ET Tuesday:

  • S&P 500 futures (ES=F): 2,428.00, up 11.75 points or +0.49%

  • Dow futures (YM=F): 20,375, up 114 points or +0.56%

  • Nasdaq futures (NQ=F): 7,115.25, up 57.75 points or +0.82%

  • Crude oil (CL=F): $29.12 per barrel, up $0.42 or 1.46%

  • Ten-year Treasury note: yielding 0.778%, up 5 basis points

NEW YORK, March 16, 2020 -- Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the United States, March 16, 2020. U.S. stocks opened sharply lower on Monday even after the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate to the range from 0 to 0.25 percent and unveiled a huge program of bond-buying amid coronavirus fallout. The S&P 500 index declined 8 percent shortly after the opening bell, triggering a key circuit breaker that halted trading for 15 minutes. It was the third time that the circuit breakers, or trading halts, have been tipped since last week. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Michael Nagle via Getty Images)NEW YORK, March 16, 2020 -- Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the United States, March 16, 2020. U.S. stocks opened sharply lower on Monday even after the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate to the range from 0 to 0.25 percent and unveiled a huge program of bond-buying amid coronavirus fallout. The S&P 500 index declined 8 percent shortly after the opening bell, triggering a key circuit breaker that halted trading for 15 minutes. It was the third time that the circuit breakers, or trading halts, have been tipped since last week. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Michael Nagle via Getty Images)

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NEW YORK, March 16, 2020 — Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the United States, March 16, 2020. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Michael Nagle via Getty Images)

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Follow Yahoo Finance on&nbsp;Twitter,&nbsp;Facebook,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;Flipboard,&nbsp;LinkedIn, and&nbsp;reddit.” data-reactid=”175″>Follow Yahoo Finance on TwitterFacebookInstagramFlipboardLinkedIn, and reddit.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Find live stock market quotes and the latest business and finance news” data-reactid=”176″>Find live stock market quotes and the latest business and finance news

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="For tutorials and information on investing and trading stocks, check out&nbsp;Cashay” data-reactid=”177″>For tutorials and information on investing and trading stocks, check out Cashay

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Telus prioritizing ‘most important customers,’ avoiding ‘unprofitable’ offers: CFO

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Telus Corp. says it is avoiding offering “unprofitable” discounts as fierce competition in the Canadian telecommunications sector shows no sign of slowing down.

The company said Friday it had fewer net new customers during its third quarter compared with the same time last year, as it copes with increasingly “aggressive marketing and promotional pricing” that is prompting more customers to switch providers.

Telus said it added 347,000 net new customers, down around 14.5 per cent compared with last year. The figure includes 130,000 mobile phone subscribers and 34,000 internet customers, down 30,000 and 3,000, respectively, year-over-year.

The company reported its mobile phone churn rate — a metric measuring subscribers who cancelled their services — was 1.09 per cent in the third quarter, up from 1.03 per cent in the third quarter of 2023. That included a postpaid mobile phone churn rate of 0.90 per cent in its latest quarter.

Telus said its focus is on customer retention through its “industry-leading service and network quality, along with successful promotions and bundled offerings.”

“The customers we have are the most important customers we can get,” said chief financial officer Doug French in an interview.

“We’ve, again, just continued to focus on what matters most to our customers, from a product and customer service perspective, while not loading unprofitable customers.”

Meanwhile, Telus reported its net income attributable to common shares more than doubled during its third quarter.

The telecommunications company said it earned $280 million, up 105.9 per cent from the same three-month period in 2023. Earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 was 19 cents compared with nine cents a year earlier.

It reported adjusted net income was $413 million, up 10.7 per cent year-over-year from $373 million in the same quarter last year. Operating revenue and other income for the quarter was $5.1 billion, up 1.8 per cent from the previous year.

Mobile phone average revenue per user was $58.85 in the third quarter, a decrease of $2.09 or 3.4 per cent from a year ago. Telus said the drop was attributable to customers signing up for base rate plans with lower prices, along with a decline in overage and roaming revenues.

It said customers are increasingly adopting unlimited data and Canada-U.S. plans which provide higher and more stable ARPU on a monthly basis.

“In a tough operating environment and relative to peers, we view Q3 results that were in line to slightly better than forecast as the best of the bunch,” said RBC analyst Drew McReynolds in a note.

Scotiabank analyst Maher Yaghi added that “the telecom industry in Canada remains very challenging for all players, however, Telus has been able to face these pressures” and still deliver growth.

The Big 3 telecom providers — which also include Rogers Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. — have frequently stressed that the market has grown more competitive in recent years, especially after the closing of Quebecor Inc.’s purchase of Freedom Mobile in April 2023.

Hailed as a fourth national carrier, Quebecor has invested in enhancements to Freedom’s network while offering more affordable plans as part of a set of commitments it was mandated by Ottawa to agree to.

The cost of telephone services in September was down eight per cent compared with a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada’s most recent inflation report last month.

“I think competition has been and continues to be, I’d say, quite intense in Canada, and we’ve obviously had to just manage our business the way we see fit,” said French.

Asked how long that environment could last, he said that’s out of Telus’ hands.

“What I can control, though, is how we go to market and how we lead with our products,” he said.

“I think the conditions within the market will have to adjust accordingly over time. We’ve continued to focus on digitization, continued to bring our cost structure down to compete, irrespective of the price and the current market conditions.”

Still, Canada’s telecom regulator continues to warn providers about customers facing more charges on their cellphone and internet bills.

On Tuesday, CRTC vice-president of consumer, analytics and strategy Scott Hutton called on providers to ensure they clearly inform their customers of charges such as early cancellation fees.

That followed statements from the regulator in recent weeks cautioning against rising international roaming fees and “surprise” price increases being found on their bills.

Hutton said the CRTC plans to launch public consultations in the coming weeks that will focus “on ensuring that information is clear and consistent, making it easier to compare offers and switch services or providers.”

“The CRTC is concerned with recent trends, which suggest that Canadians may not be benefiting from the full protections of our codes,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor developments and will take further action if our codes are not being followed.”

French said any initiative to boost transparency is a step in the right direction.

“I can’t say we are perfect across the board, but what I can say is we are absolutely taking it under consideration and trying to be the best at communicating with our customers,” he said.

“I think everyone looking in the mirror would say there’s room for improvement.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:T)

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TC Energy cuts cost estimate for Southeast Gateway pipeline project in Mexico

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CALGARY – TC Energy Corp. has lowered the estimated cost of its Southeast Gateway pipeline project in Mexico.

It says it now expects the project to cost between US$3.9 billion and US$4.1 billion compared with its original estimate of US$4.5 billion.

The change came as the company reported a third-quarter profit attributable to common shareholders of C$1.46 billion or $1.40 per share compared with a loss of C$197 million or 19 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

Revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30 totalled C$4.08 billion, up from C$3.94 billion in the third quarter of 2023.

TC Energy says its comparable earnings for its latest quarter amounted to C$1.03 per share compared with C$1.00 per share a year earlier.

The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 95 cents per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:TRP)

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BCE reports Q3 loss on asset impairment charge, cuts revenue guidance

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BCE Inc. reported a loss in its latest quarter as it recorded $2.11 billion in asset impairment charges, mainly related to Bell Media’s TV and radio properties.

The company says its net loss attributable to common shareholders amounted to $1.24 billion or $1.36 per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with a profit of $640 million or 70 cents per share a year earlier.

On an adjusted basis, BCE says it earned 75 cents per share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of 81 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

“Bell’s results for the third quarter demonstrate that we are disciplined in our pursuit of profitable growth in an intensely competitive environment,” BCE chief executive Mirko Bibic said in a statement.

“Our focus this quarter, and throughout 2024, has been to attract higher-margin subscribers and reduce costs to help offset short-term revenue impacts from sustained competitive pricing pressures, slow economic growth and a media advertising market that is in transition.”

Operating revenue for the quarter totalled $5.97 billion, down from $6.08 billion in its third quarter of 2023.

BCE also said it now expects its revenue for 2024 to fall about 1.5 per cent compared with earlier guidance for an increase of zero to four per cent.

The company says the change comes as it faces lower-than-anticipated wireless product revenue and sustained pressure on wireless prices.

BCE added 33,111 net postpaid mobile phone subscribers, down 76.8 per cent from the same period last year, which was the company’s second-best performance on the metric since 2010.

It says the drop was driven by higher customer churn — a measure of subscribers who cancelled their service — amid greater competitive activity and promotional offer intensity. BCE’s monthly churn rate for the category was 1.28 per cent, up from 1.1 per cent during its previous third quarter.

The company also saw 11.6 per cent fewer gross subscriber activations “due to more targeted promotional offers and mobile device discounting compared to last year.”

Bell’s wireless mobile phone average revenue per user was $58.26, down 3.4 per cent from $60.28 in the third quarter of the prior year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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