Canada's main stock index rose on Friday, buoyed by stronger energy shares and miners, although concerns around rising interest rates to combat high inflation kept gains in check.
The TSX Composite recovered 130.77 points to pause for lunch Friday at 18,710.06.
The Canadian dollar moved up 0.38 cents to 72.96 cents U.S.
Golds led the parade Friday, with Iamgold surging five cents, or 2.9%, to $1.79, while B2Gold grabbed 18 cents, or 4.4%, to $4.26.
In materials, First Quantum Minerals advanced $2.08, or 8.7%, to $26.04, while Lithium Minerals hiked $2.65, or 8.1%, to $35.19.
In health-care, Cronos Group added nine cents, or 2.3%, to $4.03, while Bausch Health Companies moved up 15 cents, or 1.7%, to $8.96.
On the economic beat, Statistics Canada reports its new home prices in Canada declined 0.1% in September—the first decrease since November 2019.
Retail trade increased 0.7% to $61.8 billion in August. Sales increased in six of 11 subsectors, led by sales in food and beverage stores and motor vehicle and parts dealers.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange regained 1.25 points to 588.16.
All but one of the 12 TSX subgroups had gained ground by noon hour EDT, as gold and materials each climbed 2.1%, and health-care was stronger 1.2%.
The lone naysayer was in information technology, off 0.7%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks were mixed in choppy trading on Friday as investors assessed more corporate earnings reports and the outlook for Federal Reserve rate hikes.
The Dow Jones Industrials leaped 423.31 points, or 1.4%, to 30,756.90.
The S&P 500 rumbled 46.14 points, or 1.3%, higher to kick off Friday at 3,711.92.
The NASDAQ gained 108.8 points, or 1%, to 10,723.70.
The major averages are on track for a winning week, with each up about 3%.
Bank stocks were a bright spot on Friday, with Goldman Sachs gaining 3.9% and JPMorgan Chase adding 3.5%.
Earnings reports limited gains for the market. Dow components American Express and Verizon fell about 5.5% after their quarterly reports.
In tech, social media company Snap fell 31% after reporting a quarterly revenue of $1.13 billion, below expectations. That revenue represents year-over-year growth of just 6%. Average revenue per user, a key metric for the company, fell 11% to $3.11.
Treasury prices stayed put, keeping yields at Thursday’s 4.24%.
Oil prices advanced 36 cents to $84.17 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices hiked $18.40 to $1,655.20 U.S. an ounce.
