TORONTO (Reuters) - The main Canadian equity index fell sharply on Wednesday morning as gold-mining and energy shares followed gold and oil prices lower as investors fretted about renewed tension in the euro zone.
Barrick Gold Corp (ABX.TO: Quote), the world's biggest producer of the precious metal, fell 1.3 percent to C$39.74 as bullion slipped to an almost two-week low.
Suncor Energy (SU.TO: Quote), Canada's No. 1 integrated oil producer and refiner, was down 1.2 percent at C$31.86. Crude prices fell more than 1 percent, wiping out gains made earlier this month that were spurred by stimulus measures taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.
Market anxiety heightened after Greek police fired teargas at youths hurling petrol bombs and stones as tens of thousands took to the streets in Athens in Greece's biggest anti-austerity demonstration in months.
The demonstration followed violent protests in Spain and reignited worries that the euro zone debt crisis is deepening despite efforts by central banks to reflate economies.
"Markets have a very tough time dealing with uncertainty, and in a word, that is what's dominated this marketplace, the uncertainty of the outlook ahead," said Peter Chandler, a senior vice-president at Canaccord Wealth Management based in Waterloo, Ontario.
Volume Leaders
| Symbol | Name | Last Trade | Change | Volume | Related Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VT.TO | VITERRA INC. | 16.08 |  0.01(0.06%) | 6,605,926 | Chart, Profile, More |
| BTO.TO | B2GOLD CORP. | 3.96 | 0.12(3.13%) | 4,020,560 | Chart, Profile, More |
| TXG.TO | TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC | 2.01 | 0.02(1.01%) | 3,943,813 | Chart, Profile, More |
| SUE.TO | SULLIDEN GOLD CORPORATION LTD | 1.14 |  0.08 (6.56%) | 3,478,966 | Chart, Profile, More |
| BBD-B.TO | BOMBARDIER INC., CL. B, SV | 3.62 | 0.02 (0.55%) | 3,209,295 | Chart, Profile, More |
| RIM.TO | RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED | 6.90 | 0.40(6.15%) | 2,987,175 | Chart, Profile, More |
| ELD.TO | ELDORADO GOLD | 14.46 | 0.02(0.14%) | 2,912,983 | Chart, Profile, More |
| ABX.TO | BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION | 40.46 | 0.19(0.47%) | 2,420,824 | Chart, Profile, More |
| MFC.TO | MANULIFE FIN | 11.78 | 0.01 (0.08%) | 2,254,812 | Chart, Profile, More |
| K.TO | KINROSS GOLD CORP. | 9.74 | 0.20(2.10%) | 2,156,398 | Chart, More |
| YRI.TO | YAMANA GOLD INC | 18.36 | 0.13(0.71%) | 2,054,373 | Chart, Profile, More |
| PTQ.TO | PETAQUILLA MINERALS LTD. | 0.57 | 0.02 (3.39%) | 1,995,018 | Chart, Profile, More |
| PXX.TO | BLACKPEARL RESOURCES INC. | 3.35 | 0.13 (3.74%) | 1,979,841 | Chart, Profile, More |
| ORT.TO | ORBITE ALUMINAE INC | 2.93 | 0.13 (4.25%) | 1,969,311 | Chart, More |
| TCK-B.TO | Teck Resources Limited | 29.47 | 0.53(1.83%) | 1,895,232 | Chart, Profile, More |
| SU.TO | SUNCOR ENERGY INC. | 32.10 | 0.13 (0.40%) | 1,730,876 | Chart, Profile, More |
| LUN.TO | LUNDIN MINING CORP. | 4.87 | 0.09 (1.81%) | 1,716,065 | Chart, Profile, More |
| G.TO | GOLDCORP INC | 44.48 | 0.60(1.37%) | 1,610,192 | Chart, Profile, More |
| CNQ.TO | CDN NATURAL RES | 30.86 | 0.08 (0.26%) | 1,473,774 | Chart, Profile, More |
| SLW.TO | SILVER WHEATON CORP. | 37.27 | 0.06 (0.16%) | 1,454,474 | Chart, Profile, More |
| CCO.TO | CAMECO CORP | 19.52 | 0.72 (3.56%) | 1,434,353 | Chart, Profile, More |
| CHM.TO | CHAMPION IRON MINES LTD. | 0.66 | 0.00(0.00%) | 1,405,560 | Chart, More |
| CGA.TO | CGA MINING LIMITED | 2.86 | 0.11(4.00%) | 1,388,258 | Chart, Profile, More |
| BNS.TO | BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA | 54.05 | 0.17 (0.31%) | 1,299,869 | Chart, Profile, More |
| PD.TO | PRECISION DRILLING CORPORATION | 7.87 | 0.23 (2.84%) | 1,287,082 | Chart, Profile, More |