Canada's equity market finished lower on Friday, with the S&P/TSX Composite closing down 0.91% in Toronto as declines in Materials, Information Technology and Clean Technology stocks outnumbered gains.
At the close, Empire Company Ltd (TSX:EMPa) was among the session's top performers, advancing 3.89% - a gain of 1.84 points - to finish at 49.19. Bird Construction Inc. (TSX:BDT) climbed 3.78% or 1.24 points to close at 34.08, while Kelt Exploration Ltd. (TSX:KEL) rose 3.20% or 0.29 points to end the day at 9.35.
On the downside, Methanex Corporation (TSX:MX) recorded the largest drop among major decliners, losing 10.16% - a fall of 8.03 points - to trade at 71.03 at the close. First Majestic Silver Corp. (TSX:AG) fell 7.88% or 2.65 points to finish at 30.96, and Equinox Gold Corp (TSX:EQX) declined 7.75% or 1.68 points to end the session at 20.01.
Market breadth on the Toronto Stock Exchange was negative, with 577 issues declining versus 368 advancing; 73 listings finished unchanged. Bird Construction's shares reached an all-time high in the session, up 3.78% or 1.24 to 34.08, while Kelt Exploration's shares hit a five-year high, advancing 3.20% or 0.29 to 9.35.
Implied volatility for the S&P/TSX Composite, as measured by the S&P/TSX 60 VIX, rose 5.32% to 21.39, marking a new six-months high for the index of option-implied moves.
Commodities showed mixed moves. Gold Futures for April delivery was down 2.09% or 107.24 to $5,018.56 a troy ounce. Crude oil for April delivery rose 2.94% or 2.81 to $98.54 a barrel, and the May Brent oil contract increased 2.58% or 2.59 to trade at $103.05 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, CAD/USD was unchanged 0.63% to 0.73, while CAD/EUR was unchanged 0.21% to 0.64. The US Dollar Index Futures moved higher, up 0.75% at 100.50.
Market context and takeaways
- Canadian equities ended the session lower, led by weakness in Materials, IT and Clean Technology names.
- Notable individual moves included strong gains for Empire Company Ltd, Bird Construction Inc. and Kelt Exploration Ltd, while Methanex, First Majestic Silver and Equinox Gold posted steep declines.
- Volatility rose to a six-months high for the S&P/TSX 60 VIX, and commodity pricing showed divergent trends between precious metals and oil.
This snapshot reflects market activity at the close in Toronto on Friday and the price and percentage changes reported for the named securities and futures contracts.