Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index fell 0.4% to close at 34,969 on Wednesday as investors assessed a hawkish US Federal Reserve outlook and the signing of an interim peace deal between the US and Iran. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, but its projections were viewed as more hawkish than expected, with roughly half of Federal Open Market Committee members anticipating at least one rate hike this year, raising concerns over higher borrowing costs. Financial stocks traded mixed, with Brookfield down 0.6% and CIBC falling 0.8%, while RBC rose 0.7% and TD Bank gained 0.7%. Mining stocks led losses as gold prices eased, with Barrick down 2.3%, Agnico Eagle losing 3.6%, and WPM falling 2.9%. The energy sector also weakened as oil prices declined after the US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Canadian Natural fell 3%, while Suncor lost 1.5%.