Canada's main stock index fell on Friday as worries about an aggressive policy stance by major central banks hurt risk appetite even as data showed domestic retail sales rose unexpectedly in June.
The TSX tumbled 189.84 points to move into noon hour Friday at 20,075.53.
The Canadian dollar moved lower 0.34 cents to 76.89 cents U.S.
On the economic front, Statistics Canada said retail sales increased 1.1% to $63.1 billion in June, the sixth consecutive increase. Sales were up in eight of 11 subsectors and were led by higher sales at gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange chucked 11.48 points, or 1.7%, to 651.13.
All but two of the 12 TSX subgroups were lower, as information technology slid 3.1%, health-care shed 2.8%, while materials was off 1.5%.
Communications bucked the trend, up 0.3%. while utilities eked up 0.1%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks fell on Friday as Wall Street’s summer rally appeared to falter, putting the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite on pace to end the week on a sour note.
The Dow Jones Industrials jettisoned 242.27 points to 33,756.77.
The S&P 500 dropped 46.17 points, or 1.1%, to 4,236.57.
The NASDAQ Composite stumbled 229.29 points, or 1.8%, to 12,736.05.
For the week, the S&P 500 was last down 1%, while the Dow was 0.1% higher. The tech-heavy NASDAQ is currently down more than 2% for the week
In other news, Bed Bath & Beyond shares cratered after Ryan Cohen exited his position in the retailer.
About $2 trillion worth of options contracts are set to expire on Friday.
Treasury prices leaped, lowering yields to 2.99% from Thursday’s 2.88%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite direction.
Oil prices gained 98 cents to $91.46 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices fell $8.10 to $1,763.10 U.S. an ounce.
