Canada's main stock index rose on Friday, on expectations the omicron coronavirus variant would not significantly derail global economic growth, although trading volumes are likely to be subdued due to a U.S. holiday.
The S&P/TSX Composite gained 41.36 points to take off for Christmas Eve at 21,260.29.
The Canadian dollar added 0.28 cents at 78.09 cents U.S.
Trading will be limited to a half-day on Friday, Christmas Eve, the closing bell sounding around 1 p.m. EST.
The healthcare sector was boosted by gains in pot producers, Aurora Cannabis grabbed 15 cents, or 1.9%, to $7.99, Cronos Group acquired 25 cents, or 4.6%, to $5.72, Canopy Growth up 19 cents, or 1.5%, to $12.55.
Fairfax Financial Holdings vaulted $21.74, or 3.7%, to 615.79, while BlackBerry picked up 35 cents, or 2.9%, to $12.47.
Canada met its target of granting 401,000 foreigners permanent residency in 2021 by focusing its efforts on temporary residents already in the country, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said on Thursday.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange jumped 4.12 points to 932.97.
All but one of the 12 TSX subgroups gained ground, with health-care leaping 1.4%, while industrials and materials each added 0.4%.
Communications proved the only lagging group, docking 0.1%.
ON WALLSTREET
American markets are closed for Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays!
