Canadian Stocks Barely Budge -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks were little changed in quiet dealing Tuesday, failing to follow U.S. equities higher.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was down 6 points at 13,480.12, having been in negative territory almost all day.

The Diversified Metals and Mining Index has rallied a bit, edging up 0.7 percent after big losses in the previous session. Shares of Polaris Minerals (PLS.TO) were up 8 percent.

Tech stocks also turned higher after a sluggish start, as Microsoft named insider Satya Nadella its next CEO.

Energy stocks also moved ahead, following the price of US crude oil slightly higher.

In news from the oil patch, Suncor Energy (SU.TO) has hiked its dividend by 15 percent to 23 cents per share, its second dividend boost in less than a year.

Quarterly operating earnings missed analyst estimates. Suncor shares were down 2 percent.

Teck (TCK.B.TO) said it was investigating a spill at its Trail smelting complex in British Columbia. The chemical is expected to have little environmental impact, according to the Vancouver Sun. Shares were up 0.5 percent.

WestJet Airlines Ltd. (WJA.TO) reported that its fourth-quarter net earnings increased to C$67.8 million or C$0.52 per share, from C$60.9 million or C$0.46 per share, prior year. Analysts expected the company to report profit per share of C$0.52 for the quarter. The stock added 2.8 percent.

Bell Aliant Inc. (BA.TO) reported $69 million of quarterly net income, up $3.3 million from a year ago. Adjusted earnings of 38 cents a share beat estimates of 35 cents. BA shares gained 1.4 percent.