Equities in Toronto edged up on Friday after data showed the domestic economy had grown more than expected in January, boosting investor confidence, and Rogers Communications also surged post a government nod for its billion-dollar deal.
The TSX grabbed 134.13 points to begin the week’s last session at 20.075.12.
The Canadian dollar captured 0.26 cents to 73.96 cents U.S.
Rogers Communications’ $20-billion bid for Shaw Communications is expected to gain government approval after the telecom firm agreed to sell Freedom Mobile to Quebecor for $2.85 billion, as per a report.
Rogers shares declined 79 cents, or 1.2%, to $63.71, while Shaw shares jumped $1.28, or 3.3%, to $40.44.
Enbridge and Norway's Yara International ASA said they are planning to invest up to $2.9 billion to build a low-carbon blue ammonia production plant in Texas. Enbridge shares picked up 16 cents to $51.68.
First Quantum Minerals and Rio Tinto will form a joint venture to develop the La Granja copper project in Peru, with the Canadian miner buying a 55% stake in the project. First Quantum advanced 76 cents, or 2.5%, to $31.51.
On the economic front, Statistics Canada reported Gross Domestic Product rose 0.5% in January, as both goods-producing industries and services-producing industries expanded during the month.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange grew 2.18 points to 632.19.
All but one of the 12 TSX subgroups were higher, with consumer discretionary advancing 1.8%, information technology hiking 1.7%, and health-care haler 1.2%.
The lone laggard proved to be gold, dulling in price 0.2%.
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks rose Friday as the stock benchmark wrapped up a volatile, but winning quarter that saw more Federal Reserve rate tightening and a mini-financial panic spurred on by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.
The Dow Jones Industrials strengthened 162.42 points to 33,021.45.
The S&P 500 climbed 22.76 points, to 4,073.59.
The NASDAQ leaped 94.38 points to 12,107.85.
The market got a slight boost Friday after the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge showed a less-than-expected increase in prices.
The core Personal Consumption Expenditures index, which excludes energy and food costs, rose 0.3% in February, less than the 0.4% expected by economists polled by Dow Jones.
The S&P 500 has gained 5.5% and NASDAQ is ahead 14.8%, for the first quarter through Thursday’s close. The Dow is down slightly. For the month the S&P 500 is better by 2% and NASDAQ has gained 4.9%. The Dow, meanwhile, is up 0.6% through Thursday’s close.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury were higher, lowering yields to 3.54% from Thursday 3.55%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices moved higher 67 cents to $75.04 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices ditched $2.40 to $1,995.30 U.S. an ounce.
