Canada’s benchmark equity index rose on Friday, lifted by growing confidence that tensions in the Middle East may be easing. The market was on track for a fourth consecutive weekly gain, although declining oil prices threatened to weigh on energy stocks. Signals from a Pakistani intermediary in Tehran and officials from US President Donald Trump’s administration suggested progress toward a potential peace agreement that saw the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, investors are closely monitoring corporate earnings in both the US and Canada to assess how businesses are navigating challenges linked to the Iran conflict.
US equities also moved higher as Iran’s foreign minister stated that passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared “completely open” for the remaining period of the ceasefire, in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon. Oil prices took an obvious hit.
| TSX | 34,346.29 | +294.06 | |
| TSXV | 1,054.91 | +11.32 | |
| CSE | 176.05 | +1.55 | |
| DJIA | 49,447.43 | +868.71 | |
| NASDAQ | 24,468.48 | +365.78 | |
| S&P 500 | 7,126.06 | +84.78 | |
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.08 cents US compared to 72.99 cents US on Thursday.
US crude futures traded US$9.95 lower at US$84.74 a barrel, and the Brent contract lost US$8.63 to US$90.76 a barrel.
The price of gold was up US$62.04 to US$4,847.41.
In world markets, the Nikkei was down 1,042.44 points to ¥58,475.90, the Hang Seng was down 233.93 points to HK$26,160.33, the FTSE was up 77.64 points to ₤10,667.63, and the DAX was up 547.77 points to €24,702.24.
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