Equities in Canada’s largest centre finished the week with a whimper, amid losses for health-care and industrials.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index dipped 12.67 points to close the day and the week at 15,537.88
The Canadian dollar fell 0.02 cents to 72.95 cents U.S.
Health-care issues took the brunt of losses, as Canopy Growth Corporation yielded 39 cents, or 4.6%, to $8.14, while Valeant Pharmaceuticals lost 25 cents, or 1.3%, to $18.60
Industrials got roughed up a mite, too, as Bombardier slid nine cents, or 4.1%, to $2.12, while Air Canada subsided 32 cents, or 1.9%, to $16.14.
Among tech concerns, BlackBerry dipped two cents to $12.82, while Constellation Software fell $6.86, or 1%, to $677.33.
Gold stocks proved the conqueror Friday, however, as Kinross Gold gained four cents to $5.66, while Barrick Gold climbed 24 cents, or 1.1%, to $23.11.
Materials were stronger, as Teck Resources jumped 46 cents, or 1.9%, to $25.26, while Agnico Eagle Mines triumphed $1.18, or 1.8%, to $66.33.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 5.26 points to 793.64
Seven of the 12 TSX subgroups were lower Friday, as health-care sank 1%, while industrials and information technology 0.7% each.
The five gainers were led by gold, stronger 1.3%, materials, up 0.9%, and telecoms, ahead 0.4%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. equities closed mostly lower on Friday as investors digested a tough week for retailers as well as mixed economic data.
The Dow Jones Industrials Average closed negative 22.81 points to 20896.61, with Goldman Sachs and UnitedHealth contributing the most losses.
General Electric was the biggest laggard in the 30-stock index after Deutsche Bank downgraded the stock to sell from hold. The Dow also snapped a three-week winning streak.
The S&P 500 inched faded 3.54 points to 2,390.90, with industrials lagging, and also snapped a three-week winning streak.
The NASDAQ inched up 2.83 points to 6,118.79.
The fall in retailers came after J.C. Penney's stock dropped more than 14% in afternoon trade. The company reported mixed quarterly results, with earnings topping expectations but same-stores sales fell more than expected.
Several retailers, including Macy's and Nordstrom, have seen their stocks tank this week after reporting weaker-than-expected quarterly results, putting the sector under pressure.
Investors kept a close eye on the retail space as they assessed the strength of the U.S. consumer, a key component of the U.S. economy.
In economic news, the U.S. Commerce Department said retail sales increased 0.4% in April from March, less than expected.
Meanwhile, consumer prices rose 0.2% in April, in line with expectations. In the 12 months through April, the CPI increased 2.2%
While that was a slowdown from March's 2.4% increase, the year-on-year gain in the CPI was still larger than the 1.7% average annual increase over the past 10 years.
Prices for the benchmark 10-year Treasury note moved up sharply, lowering yields to 2.33% from Thursday’s 2.39%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices gained six cents at $47.89 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices picked up $4.30 at $1,228.50 U.S. an ounce.
