Canada's main stock index slipped on Friday as investors parsed domestic and U.S. employment data, putting the benchmark on track for its biggest weekly fall in nearly six months.
The TSX Composite Index recovered 152.77 points, to open Friday at 24,736.05
The Canadian dollar sagged 0.28 cents to 69.69 cents U.S.
Throughout the week, investors navigated a roller coaster of trade uncertainties. On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico took effect.
But, in the latest twist on Thursday, Trump announced an exemption for goods from both nations under a North American trade pact, lasting a month.
In corporate news, Circle-K owner Alimentation Couche-Tard said on Friday that its top executives will visit Tokyo to speak with media about its $47-billion bid to buy 7-Eleven convenience store operator Seven & I Holdings.
Couche-Tard shares handed back 65 cents to $73.41.
On the economic beat, Statistics Canada reported the economy created only 1,100 jobs in February. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.6%.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange dipped 2.49 points to 607.73
All but one of the 12 TSX subgroups gained ground, with energy powering ahead 2.6%, while gold shone 2.5% brighter, and materials soared 1.5%.
Only consumer staples missed out, falling back 0.2%.
ON WALLSTREET
The S&P 500 gyrated on Friday, regaining some ground with the benchmark headed for its worst week since September as the salvo of trade policy actions unnerved investors.
The Dow Jones Industrials gained 62.86 points to 42,641.96
The much-broader index recovered 16.9 points to 5,755.42
The NASDAQ Composite moved forward 93.78 points to 18,153.05.
A weaker-than-expected jobs report released Friday raised further concerns about an economic softening and sent rates lower. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 151,000 jobs in February, less than the consensus forecast for 170,000 from economists polled by Dow Jones. The unemployment rate ticked higher to 4.1%.
That came as stocks have been on a roller-coaster ride this week with President Donald Trump’s tariff policies worrying investors about future U.S. growth and inflation.
Trump said on Thursday that a swath of goods from Canada and Mexico that are covered by the North American trade agreement known as USMCA would be exempt from the announced duties until April 2.
That move effectively walked back much of the original plan. But the market has still sold off this week, with uncertainty mounting amid constant updates and a lack of clarity around what to expect longer term.
This market rout put the three major averages on course for their worst week since September 2024. The S&P 500 is off 3.4% week to date, while the 30-stock Dow is down 3%. The NASDAQ has dropped 3.7% so far this week and fell into correction territory, meaning it closed 10% off its all-time high.
Friday’s market got upward momentum from Broadcom’s rally of more than 6% on strong earnings. Nvidia, another artificial intelligence giant, also rose in the session.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury edged lower, lowering yields to 4.27% from Thursday’s 4.28%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices gained $1.51 to $67.87 U.S. a barrel.
Prices for gold surged $8.70 an ounce to $2,935 U.S.
