Canada's stock market finished the session in negative territory on Friday as declines in the information technology, financials and consumer discretionary sectors pushed the S&P/TSX Composite down 0.47% at the close in Toronto.
The day's top performers on the S&P/TSX Composite included CCL Industries Inc (TSX:CCLb), which climbed 6.86% or 6.09 points to finish at 94.88. Mining and metals exposure also featured among the winners, with Aya Gold & Silver Inc (TSX:AYA) adding 5.84% or 1.63 to end at 29.53, and TransAlta Corp (TSX:TA) rising 5.72% or 1.01 to close at 18.75.
On the downside, apparel retailer Aritzia Inc (TSX:ATZ) led declines, retreating 7.80% or 10.22 points to 120.78 at the close. TerraVest Industries Inc (TSX:TVK) lowered 7.58% or 12.06 points to finish at 147.07, and Energy Fuels Inc. (TSX:EFR) fell 6.72% or 2.10 to 29.13 in late trade.
Market breadth on the Toronto Stock Exchange was positive, with 536 issues advancing compared with 436 decliners and 73 names unchanged.
Notable price milestones were recorded during the session. Shares of CCL Industries rose to five-year highs, while Aya Gold & Silver reached an all-time high, as each posted the gains noted above.
Volatility for Canadian equities moved higher. The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, which measures the implied volatility of options on the S&P/TSX Composite, increased 7.58% to 15.75.
Commodities were firmer across several fronts on the session. Gold futures for April delivery were up 1.65% or 85.96 to $5,280.16 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for April delivery rose 3.30% or 2.15 to $67.36 a barrel, while the May Brent oil contract gained 3.39% or 2.40 to trade at $73.24 a barrel.
Currency movements showed the Canadian dollar broadly steady. CAD/USD was unchanged 0.25% to 0.73, while CAD/EUR was unchanged 0.08% to 0.62. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.13% at 97.61.
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