Any hopes that Tuesday's healthy jump of 250 points on the TSX would be followed up by another prosperous day was spoiled when a mysterious technical issue prevented opening day trades from taking place.
The glitch affected both the TSX and the TSX Venture Exchange.
Hopes that the problem would be quickly rectified didn't materialize, and for the first time in its history it was shut down for the day, further eroding confidence in the precarious markets.
The group that operates the exchange blames a data transmission problem, and says it hopes to have it fixed by Thursday morning.
"They are still trying to get to the root cause of the issue and are investigating. As soon as we have some more information as to what the ultimate issue was, then we will provide that information," said Michael Ptasznik, Chief Financial Officer, TMX Group. "...the intention is to open the market tomorrow for trade. We will have teams working all hours of the night to make that happen..."
Investors were understandably peeved.
"I can't look at the quotes or anything. Inexcusable. They should have a back-up plan," said one.
"I thought there was something wrong with my computer and turned it on and off a few times and realized that this is in fact a case of a major technical glitch," adds Sherry Cooper, BMO Group.
"I suppose these things happen and they have happened in other countries but it certainly must make things difficult for people who are trading on a daily basis."
The exchange says the glitch had nothing to do with its newly installed Quantum trading engine.
But whatever the cause, Cooper maintains it couldn't come at a worse time.
"It's about the last thing we need right now when there is already so much disgruntlement within the investor community," she complains.