Stocks in Toronto were mildly lower to end the week, as advances in the consumer staples and utilities world proved no match for sizable losses among energy issues.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index ditched 27.16 points to end Friday at 15,442.75. The index was on track for a 0.1% gain on the week.
The Canadian dollar gained back 0.09 cents at 74.11 cents U.S.
Consumer staples led the parade of winners, as Maple Leaf Foods took on 23 cents to $35.10, while Metro Inc. gained 34 cents to $45.98.
Utilities also shone brighter, as Fortis gained 18 cents to $45.02, while Hydro One eked out a gain of 11 cents to $23.85.
Among real-estate issues, Brookfield Asset Management was higher, though only two cents, to $51.18.
Energy issues were hammered Friday, as Cardinal Energy sustained a loss of 45 cents, or 7.8%, to $5.32, while Cenovus Energy slumped 67 cents, or 5.5%, to $11.59.
Among health-care issues, Valeant Pharmaceuticals surrendered 14 cents to $16.89, while Emblem Corp. deducted three cents, or 1.6%, to $1.85.
Materials were weaker by Friday’s closing bell, as First Quantum Minerals slouched 29 cents, or 2.6%, to $10.85, and First Majestic Silver lost a penny to $11.12.
On the economic front, Statistics Canada reported that our trade balance with the rest of the world narrowed to a $370-million deficit in April. The agency reports exports rose 1.8% while imports were up 0.6%.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange nosed ahead 0.53 points to 800.98
The 12 TSX subgroups were evenly divided between gainers and losers, with consumer staples ahead 1.2%, utilities up 0.7%, and real-estate gaining 0.6%.
The half-dozen laggards were weighed most by energy, sagging 1.8%, health-care, off 0.4%, and materials, down 0.3%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. equities rose yet again to record levels on Friday as Wall Street shrugged off a jobs report that came in well below expectations.
The Dow Jones Industrials acquired 54.92 points to 21,199.10, with Microsoft leading advancers and Exxon Mobil lagging.
The S&P 500 grew 9.01 points to 2,439.07, an all-time high, with information technology leading eight sectors higher and energy the biggest decliner.
The NASDAQ leaped 58.97 points to 6,305.80, also a new record.
The U.S. Labor Department said 138,000 jobs were created last month, well below the expected 185,000. Wages also grew less than expected, with average hourly earnings rising at a 2.5% annualized rate. The unemployment rate, however, fell to 4.3% from 4.4%.
One expert noted the U.S. economy has added jobs for 80 straight months now, the longest positive streak dating back to the 1930s.
Investors eagerly awaited the report as it is one of the last major data sets released before the Federal Reserve holds its June monetary policy meeting. Experts now say market expectations for a rate hike are near 94%.
Prices for the benchmark 10-year Treasury note spiked, lowering yields to 2.15% from Thursday’s 2.22%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices dropped 59 cents to $47.77 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices surged $11.10 at $1,281.20 U.S. an ounce.
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