Big Gains in First Hour

Canada's main stock index opened higher on Wednesday, led by materials, while investors assessed a partial U.S. government shutdown that threatened to delay key jobs data and potentially cloud the interest-rate outlook.The TSX exploded 116.11 points to begin the mid-week session at 30,138.92.The Canadian dollar weakened 0.19 cents at 71.80 cents.Vancouver-based Lithium Americas said the U.S. Department of Energy has taken a 5% stake in the company, along with a separate 5% stake in its Thacker Pass lithium project joint venture with General Motors.Lithium Americas shares grabbed $1.47, or 18.4%, to $9.42.On the economic slate, manufacturing PMI in Canada decreased to 47.70 points in September from 48.30 points in August 2025. ON BAYSTREET The TSX Venture Exchange sprinted 7.97 points to 955.81.All but two of the 12 subgroups were higher, led by gold, shining 1.8%, information technology, climbing 1.6%, and materials hiking 1.5%.The two laggards proved to be energy, shedding 0.8%, and industrials, off 0.1%. ON WALLSTREET The S&P 500 dropped on Wednesday after the U.S. government shut down, raising fears of a longer-than-normal stoppage that weighs on an already fragile economy. Equities were also under pressure after the latest ADP report showed a surprise decline jobs for September.The Dow Jones Industrial Index dipped 5.41 points to 46,392.19.The much-broader index slid 7.62 points to 6,680.84The tech-heavy NASDAQ retreated 21.16 points to 22,638.85. Bank stocks fell broadly on concern about a slowing economy after the stoppage. Citigroup and Wells Fargo each shed more than 1%. JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley were also lower. Tech shares that have led the bull market, including Oracle, declined as part of a risk-off move.Data from processing firm ADP showed that private payrolls fell by 32,000 last month, well below the gain of 45,000 that economists polled by Dow Jones had estimated. This reading, which signifies the biggest drop since March 2023, takes on even greater importance now that there’s an economic data blackout because of the shutdown.The U.S. government shut down after attempts made by the Republican-controlled Senate to secure a temporary spending bill failed on Tuesday. Democrats are hoping to use the measure to codify an extension of health care tax credits for millions of Americans.Prices for the 10-year Treasury recovered, lowering yields to 4.11% from Tuesday’s 4.15%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.Oil prices shed 54 cents to $61.83 U.S. a barrel. Gold prices hiked $24.60 to $3,897.80 U.S. an ounce.