Canada's equity market closed on a positive note Friday, driven by strength in the information technology, materials and telecommunications sectors. At the Toronto close, the S&P/TSX Composite had gained 0.70%.
Among individual stocks, Celestica Inc. (TSX:CLS) was the session's top performer, jumping 10.17% - an increase of 49.22 points - to finish at 533.01. Mining names also featured prominently: Montage Gold Corp (TSX:MAU) advanced 8.34%, adding 1.29 points to end the day at 16.75, and Equinox Gold Corp (TSX:EQX) rose 8.29%, up 1.44 points to 18.80 in late trade.
On the downside, MDA Ltd (TSX:MDA) posted the largest decline, slipping 8.42% or 5.65 points to close at 61.48. Allied Gold Corp (TSX:AAUC) fell 6.46%, down 2.41 points to 34.90, and 5N Plus Inc. (TSX:VNP) lost 5.59%, a drop of 2.53 points to 42.74.
Market breadth was positive: rising issues outnumbered decliners on the Toronto Stock Exchange by 573 to 410, while 71 stocks finished unchanged.
Volatility, as measured by the S&P/TSX 60 VIX, moved lower, decreasing 3.22% to 13.21 - recorded as a new three-month low for that gauge.
Commodities showed a mixed picture. Gold futures for August delivery rose 0.91%, or 41.32, to $4,573.72 a troy ounce. In contrast, crude oil prices fell: the July contract for U.S. crude decreased 1.20%, or 1.07, to $87.83 a barrel, while the August Brent contract dropped 1.10%, or 1.02, to $91.68 a barrel.
In currency markets, the Canadian dollar was essentially flat versus major peers. CAD/USD was unchanged, moving 0.06% to 0.73, and CAD/EUR was unchanged, shifting 0.16% to 0.62. The U.S. Dollar Index futures were down 0.10% at 98.87.
Market context and sector impact
- Information technology, materials and telecoms were the primary sector drivers of the session's gains, supporting the headline index move.
- Precious metals showed strength in gold futures, while energy markets saw a pullback in both U.S. crude and Brent, affecting energy-related equities.
- Volatility indicators eased, with the S&P/TSX 60 VIX reaching a recent low, reflecting lower implied option volatility for the Canadian market.
This report is based solely on market data at the close of trading and does not include projections or investment recommendations.