Equities in Canada’s biggest market finished Friday in slightly negative territory, as declines in gold and materials stocks outweighed strong performances in health-care and energy
The S&P/TSX Composite Index dipped 7.2 points to close the day and the week at 13,874
The Canadian dollar gained 0.39 cents to 78.92 cents U.S.
Health-care stocks were among the few bright spots, with Concordia Healthcare hiking $2.32, or 6%, to $40.97, and Valeant Pharmaceutical climbing $3.10, or 7.3%, to $45.57.
Among energy issues, Meg Energy sprouted 32 cents, or 4.6%, to $7.31, and Suncor Energy gained 24 cents to $36.30.
Gold, however, was another story, as Kinross Gold lost seven cents, or 1.2%, to $5.90, and Yamana Gold got bruised 17 cents, or 3%, to $5.42.
Base metals had a rough time of it, as Teck Resources lost 23 cents, or 1.7%, to $13.17, and Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan took back 27 cents, or 1.2%, to $22.72.
On the economic slate, Statistics Canada reported that inflation moved up in March. The consumer price index rose 1.3% in the 12 months to March, after increasing 1.4% in February. Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose 1.9% year over year in March, matching the increase in February.
Meanwhile, March’s retail trade figures rose for the second consecutive month, advancing 0.4% to $44.2 billion in February. The agency said gains were reported in nine of 11 sub-sectors, representing 89% of total retail trade.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange, after riding high for several consecutive sessions, finished negative 2.21 points Friday to 656.17.
Nine of the 13 TSX subgroups were negative by the closing bell, as gold dulled in price 2.4%, while materials doffed 1.8%, and information technology bowed 0.9%
The four gainers were led by health-care, stronger by 2.2%, energy up 1.5%, and financials, eking up 0.2%
ON WALLSTREET
Stocks south of the border closed mixed Friday with tech stocks leading declines after major earnings in the sector disappointed
The Dow Jones Industrials moved higher 21.23 points to 18,003.75, with Travelers recovering from Thursday's plunge to contribute the most to gains.
The S&P 500 notched but 0.03 points higher to 2,091.51.
Both the Dow and S&P 500 still posted their second-straight week of gains amid mixed earnings.
The NASDAQ index staggered 39.66 points to 4,906.23, as declines in Microsoft and shares of Alphabet weighed.
Microsoft traded more than 7% lower, for its worst day since Jan. 27, 2015. "Mr. Softee", as it’s sometimes called, posted earnings a touch below estimates, with revenue essentially in-line, as continued weakness in the personal computing market weighed.
Google's parent Alphabet reported earnings which missed on both the top and bottom line as the firm increased its investments in new projects.
McDonald's reported earnings that beat on both the top and bottom line, and gave comparable same-store sales that topped expectations.
Excluding restructuring costs, Caterpillar reported earnings of 67 cents U.S. a share, down from $2.07 U.S. a year ago. The company also trimmed its 2016 sales outlook range to the lower end of the previously forecast range, despite recent gains in commodity prices and signs of improvement in the China market.
Visa reported earnings above expectations on both the top and bottom line, but lowered guidance for annual net revenue growth.
Starbucks earnings matched estimates, while revenue was a touch lower. Global comparable same-store sales missed expectations.
In economic news, the Markit flash U.S. manufacturing PMI fell to 50.8 in April from 51.5 in March.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury faded, raising yields to 1.89% from Thursday’s 1.87%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices gained 56 cents a barrel to $43.74 U.S.
Gold prices lost $14.28 to $1,236.93 U.S. an ounce.
