Equities in Toronto were largely unchanged on Friday, with energy stocks offsetting losses in gold miners as investors remained cautious about the possibility of a lasting Middle East peace deal.
The TSX Composite Index faded 19.13 points to reach noon EDT Friday at 34,950.13. On the week so far, the index has gained 12.28 points, or 0.3%.
The Canadian dollar eased 0.19 cents to 70.53 cents U.S.
Expectations of a peace deal and a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supplies, supported global risk appetite this week.
MDA Space rose $2.25, or 4.1%, to $57.86, after it agreed to buy U.S.-based Blue Canyon Technologies from RTX's Raytheon business for $620 million in cash.
Shares of Alamos Gold sank 97 cents, or 2.6% to $36.34 after the miner cut its production forecast for the second quarter.
Oil prices advanced 75 cents to $76.85 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices tumbled $75.90 to $4,170.00 U.S an ounce.
On the economic calendar, retail sales increased 0.5% to $73.0 billion in April. Sales were up in five of nine subsectors, led by increases at gasoline stations and fuel vendors.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange lost 9.65 points Friday to 953.24. On the week so far, the index is down six points, or 0.6%.
All but three of the 12 TSX subgroups were positive, led by energy, up 1%, consumer discretionary stocks, up 0.6%, and financials, ahead 0.5%.
The three laggards were materials, slumping 2.2%, gold, duller by 1.5%, and information technology, off 0.04%.
U.S. Markets Off for Holiday
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. markets were closed Friday for Juneteenth.
