Equities in Toronto barely cleared the breakeven point Friday, as utilities and gold issues overcame losses in the energy and health-care fields
The S&P/TSX Composite added 0.24 points to close the day and the week at 15,075.44
The Canadian dollar slipped 0.22 cents at 73.9 cents U.S.
Leading things upward were gains among gold concerns, as Barrick Gold climbed 39 cents, or 2%, to $20.04, while rival Goldcorp gained 32 cents, or 1.8%, to $17.72.
In the utilities sector, Fortis Inc. inched up seven cents to $40.59.
In the consumer discretionary sector, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers squeezed up four cents to $51.33.
It was a different story in the energy patch, as Crescent Point Energy faded 50 cents, or 3.1%, to $15.90, while Suncor Energy dipped 54 cents, or 1.3%, to $41.96.
Health-care stocks suffered, too, as Canopy Growth Corporation fell 15 cents, or 1.4%, to $10.60, while CRH Medical shares were flat at $8.37. Drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals chucked 54 cents, or 2.3%, to $22.96.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange regained 2.71 points to 734.58
All but two of the 12 TSX subgroups were higher, with consumer discretionary, utility and gold stocks each up 0.9%.
The two laggards were energy, slumping 1.6%, and health-care, off 1.1%.
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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