Equities in Toronto took a step backward on Friday, as a record surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States raised fears of another round of lockdowns, thus putting the brakes on what looked like a promising economic recovery.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index subsided 25.65 points to close Friday and the week at 15,596.75. Even so, the index gained 122.65 points, or 0.79%, over the last four sessions (markets were closed Wednesday for Canada Day).
The Canadian dollar recovered 0.05 cents at 73.78 cents U.S.
The Supreme Court removed an obstacle to the expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline on Thursday, dismissing an appeal of a lower court decision that had backed Ottawa's approval of the project.
Real-estate showed the greatest amount of crumble on the day, as H&R REIT demurred 40 cents, or 3.8%, to $10.17, while Real Matters sank 69 cents, or 2.5%, to $27.30.
In health-care, Aurinia slipped 45 cents, or 2.1%, to $20.69, while Canopy Growth gave back 37 cents, or 1.7%, to $21.96.
Among tech concerns, Photon Control gave up three cents, or 1.6%, to $1.80, while Shopify slipped $14.61, or 1.1%, to $1,383.00.
Consumer stocks tried to balance things out, with Sleep Country Holdings rising 52 cents, or 3.1%, to $17.09, while Restaurant Brands International hiked 80 cents, or 1.1%, to $74.29.
Jamieson Wellness triumphed $1.28, or 3.6%, to $36.97, while NorthWest Company took on 33 cents, or 1.1%, to $30.51.
The United States reported more than 55,000 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a new daily global record for the pandemic.
Oil prices declined 33 cents at $40.32 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices slipped $2.70 to $1,787.30.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange collected 5.51 points to 633.02; on the week, the index enjoyed a jump of 65.82 points, or 11.6%.
All but two of the 12 TSX subgroups were lower on the day, with real-estate dipping 1%, health-care fading 0.9% and information technology descending 0.4%.
The two gainers were consumer discretionary and consumer staples, each nicking up 0.1%.
ON WALLSTREET
Markets are shuttered Friday for the Fourth of July holiday.
