Stock markets in Toronto closed a generally negative week on the downside, after ending last week at a 16-month high, as energy and health-care losses counteracted gains in gold and utilities.
The S&P/TSX Composite sank 48.46 points to close Friday at 14,785.29.
The Canadian dollar subtracted 0.01 cents to 74.69 cents U.S.
Among gold issues, Barrick Gold climbed 34 cents, or 1.5%, to $22.89, on news the world’s biggest gold miner was exploring a buying opportunity, while Kinross Gold inched up two cents to $5.03.
Utilities also ended the day on the upside, with Fortis Inc. collected 49 cents a share, or 1.1%, to $43.73, while Hydro One shares were unchanged in price at $24.51.
Among information technology firms, Constellation Software jumped $5.04 to $605.00.
Energy stocks took a bruising, as Precision Drilling surrendered 36 cents, or 5.6%, to $6.02, while EnCana Corporation ditched 37 cents, or 2.7%, to $13.41.
Health-care issues also dwindled as Valeant Pharmaceuticals got pasted $2.33, or 7.9%, to $27.21, while Concordia International dropped 10 cents, or 2%, to $4.79.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange grew 0.65 points to 775.84
Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups were higher, with gold brightening 0.7%, utilities stronger 0.5%, and information technology up 0.4%.
The four laggards were weighed most by energy and health-care, sliding 1.3% each, while real-estate skidded 0.5%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. equities closed mostly lower on Friday after the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced it is investigating new emails related to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
The Dow Jones Industrials seesawed much of the day, before settling 8.49 points lower to close the week at 18,161.19. The index was trading about 75 points higher before the new probe was announced. Merck led decliners and Chevron proved the biggest riser.
The S&P 500 dropped 6.63 points at 2,126.41, and was also trading higher before the FBI's probe was announced. Health-care led six sectors lower and industrials proved the top advancer.
The NASDAQ composite index fell 25.87 points to 5,190.10
Clinton's lead over Donald Trump had narrowed even before news of the new probe had broken.
Meanwhile, the corporate earnings season continued on Friday, with energy behemoths Chevron and ExxonMobil both posting mixed quarterly results. Other firms that reported on Friday include AbbVie, Hershey and Goodyear Tire.
On Thursday afternoon, Amazon posted mixed quarterly results, with sales eking above consensus and profits falling well short of estimates. In the late-morning trade Friday, Amazon shares were down about 5.2%. Companies scheduled to report quarterly results include Kellogg, Pfizer, Gilead Sciences, Herbalife and Alibaba.
The Commerce Department reported this morning that U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.9% in the third quarter, the fastest economic growth in two years.
Economists had forecast gross domestic product rising at a 2.5% annual rate in the third quarter.
Despite the moderation in consumer spending, the third-quarter rise in growth could help dispel any lingering fears the economy was at risk of stalling. Over the first half of the year, growth had averaged just 1.1%.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury were flat, keeping yields at Thursday’s 1.85%.
Oil prices were lower $1.03 to $48.69 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices improved $6.90 to $1,276.40 U.S. an ounce.
