Equities in Canada’s biggest market poked slightly ahead of the breakeven mark Friday, as American markets were set to shut down for the day.
The S&P/TSX Composite greeted noon ahead 7.63 points 15,082.83
The Canadian dollar slipped 0.12 cents at 74 cents U.S.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange faded 1.14 points to 730.73
All but two of the 12 TSX subgroups were higher midday, with consumer discretionary stocks springing 0.9% higher, utilities, up 0.8%, and
gold, up 0.6%.
The two laggards were energy, slumping 1.7%, and health-care, off 0.9%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. equities closed higher on Friday, posting weekly gains, as investors kept an eye on retailers during Black Friday as a post-election rally moved forward.
The Dow Jones Industrials surged 68.96 points, hitting a new record high of 19,152.14, with Cisco Systems leading advancers and UnitedHealth the biggest decliner.
The S&P 500 progressed 8.63 points to 2,213.35, with utilities leading 10 sectors higher and energy lagging.
The NASDAQ composite index added 18.24 points to 5,398.92
The three major indexes were also up more than 1% for the week and extended their weekly winning streak to three.
Several retailers kicked off Black Friday sales on Thursday. J.C. Penney opened its doors Thursday at 3 p.m., while Macy's began sales at 5 p.m. Thursday. Retail giant Wal-Mart, meanwhile, began offering Cyber Monday deals on Friday, coming off the announcement that it would significantly increase its online inventory.
The major U.S. stock indexes have been on a tear lately, ripping to new record highs on optimism that President-elect Donald Trump's proposed policies would stimulate economic growth.
On the data front, the U.S. trade deficit totaled $62 billion U.S. in October. The November read on the IHS Markit non-manufacturing index came in at 54.7, marginally lower than the October read of 54.8.
Markets south of the border were closed Thursday for Thanksgiving. They were open Friday till 1 p.m. Bond markets were closed Friday.
Oil prices shed two dollars to $45.96 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices dropped $5.90 to $1,183.40 U.S. an ounce.
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