Canadian equities ended the Friday trading session with gains, as the S&P/TSX Composite Index advanced by 0.43%, marking a new record closing value for the index. Key contributors to the day's positive momentum included sectors such as Materials, Information Technology, and Energy, which helped propel overall market performance.
Among individual stocks, Capstone Mining Corp (TSX:CS) emerged as the best performer, registering a substantial increase of 8.78%, or 1.24 points, closing at 15.37. Aya Gold & Silver Inc (TSX:AYA) followed closely, adding 6.42% or 1.63 points to finish at an all-time high of 27.03. Discovery Silver Corp (TSX:DSV) also recorded a notable gain, climbing 6.40%, or 0.70 points, to reach 11.64, marking a five-year high for the company.
Conversely, declines were observed in certain shares such as Bausch Health Companies Inc (TSX:BHC), which dropped 11.03%, or 1.00 points, closing at 8.07. NovaGold Resources Inc (TSX:NG) slipped 6.15%, or 0.89 points, to 13.57, and Badger Infrastructure Solutions Ltd (TSX:BDGI) decreased by 3.87%, or 3.14 points, ending at 78.02.
The Toronto Stock Exchange reported a market breadth of 566 advancing issues compared to 386 decliners, with 82 stocks remaining unchanged at the session’s conclusion.
Volatility as measured by the S&P/TSX 60 VIX, which gauges implied volatility for options on the S&P/TSX Composite, was down 1.71%, settling at 14.97, suggesting a marginal decrease in market uncertainty.
In commodity markets, February gold futures climbed 1.40% to $4,982.29 per troy ounce. Crude oil prices also experienced a rise, with March WTI crude futures advancing 3.22% to $61.27 a barrel, and March Brent crude contracts increasing 3.23% to $66.13 a barrel.
Currency movements were relatively stable, as the Canadian dollar remained steady against the U.S. dollar at approximately 0.73, and against the euro with negligible change to 0.62.
The U.S. Dollar Index futures decreased 0.91% to 97.28, reflecting a slight weakening of the greenback within the broader currency market context.