Canadian equities stepped back from recent highs on Friday as weakness in the technology sector weighed on the market. Investors continued to assess corporate earnings and monitor stalled diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. At the same time, a government source indicated that Canada-US trade negotiations remain on track, with both countries hoping to reach an agreement ahead of the August 19 tariff deadline.
The S&P 500 also edged lower following a record close, but the index still delivered its third straight weekly advance. Market attention turned toward rising geopolitical risks after the US threatened an indefinite naval blockade of Iran, fuelling concerns over possible disruptions to oil shipments from the Middle East, but also skepticism that the US isn’t clearly losing this war.
| TSX | 36,730.27 | -29.02 |  |
| TSXV | 970.17 | +3.74 |  |
| CSE | 167.95 | +1.27 | |
| DJIA | 53,732.41 | -107.58 | |
| NASDAQ | 26,729.16 | -73.86 | |
| S&P 500 | 7,785.76 | -13.23 | |
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.05 cents US compared to 71.74 cents US on Thursday.
US crude futures traded US$1.18 higher at US$82.43 a barrel, and the Brent contract rose US$1.31 to US$88.58 a barrel.
The price of gold was up US$10.67 to US$4,373.85.
In world markets, the Nikkei was up 405.21 points to ¥68,713.80, the Hang Seng was down 279.66 points to HK$25,116.85, the FTSE was down 22.56 points to ₤10,750.11, and the DAX was up 140.57 points to €26,440.31.
