Canada's equity market finished Friday on a positive note as gains in the information technology, telecoms and clean technology sectors pushed the S&P/TSX Composite modestly higher. At the close in Toronto the benchmark advanced 0.18%, marking a one-month high for the index.
Among the session's strongest performers was BlackBerry Ltd (TSX:BB), which surged 18.52% - a gain of 1.70 points - to finish at 10.88. NFI Group Inc (TSX:NFI) also advanced, adding 6.07% or 1.26 points to close at 22.01. MDA Ltd (TSX:MDA) rose 5.10% - up 2.89 points - to end trading at 59.51.
By contrast, several names moved lower. CAE Inc. (TSX:CAE) led laggards, falling 13.63% or 5.05 points to close at 32.01. Perpetua Resources Corp (TSX:PPTA) declined 4.89% or 1.80 points to 35.02, while Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp (TSX:TFPM) slipped 3.30% or 1.45 points to finish at 42.52.
Market breadth favored the upside as advancing issues outnumbered decliners on the Toronto Stock Exchange by 581 to 384, with 85 names finishing unchanged. The trading session included several notable price milestones: BlackBerry's shares reached three-year highs after the strong advance; NFI Group's stock likewise touched three-year highs; MDA's shares climbed to an all-time high; and CAE's shares fell to 52-week lows.
Volatility measures picked up slightly. The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, which gauges implied volatility of options on the S&P/TSX Composite, increased 1.82% to 14.52.
In commodities trading, gold futures for June delivery were down 0.68% - a decline of 30.91 - to $4,511.59 a troy ounce. Crude oil for July delivery fell 0.13% or 0.13 to $96.22 a barrel, while the July Brent contract rose 0.66% or 0.68 to trade at $103.26 a barrel.
Foreign exchange moves were muted. The Canadian dollar was essentially unchanged versus the U.S. dollar, with CAD/USD quoted at 0.72, a 0.27% move noted in the session. CAD/EUR was listed at 0.62, with a 0.14% change reported. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures was up 0.15% at 99.25.
Overall, the session was characterized by concentrated strength among several technology and clean-technology related stocks that helped the S&P/TSX Composite close at a monthly high, even as a few large-cap names weighed on the tape with steep declines.
Market movers - summary of notable moves
- BlackBerry Ltd (TSX:BB): +18.52% to 10.88, reached three-year highs.
- NFI Group Inc (TSX:NFI): +6.07% to 22.01, reached three-year highs.
- MDA Ltd (TSX:MDA): +5.10% to 59.51, reached all-time highs.
- CAE Inc. (TSX:CAE): -13.63% to 32.01, fell to 52-week lows.
- Perpetua Resources Corp (TSX:PPTA): -4.89% to 35.02.
- Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp (TSX:TFPM): -3.30% to 42.52.