Canada’s main stock index was in recovery mode on Friday as investors found some reassurance in indications that talks between the United States and Iran could restart, though gains were limited by weakness in the energy sector. Statistics Canada reported retail sales rose 0.7 per cent to C$72.1 billion in February, with increases across seven of nine subsectors, driven primarily by stronger sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Tensions in the Middle East have intensified into a naval confrontation in Iran’s Strait of Hormuz, where both the US and Iran have seized commercial vessels. US President Donald Trump said that he had instructed the US Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” involved in laying mines in the waterway.
| TSX | 33,904.11 | -8.82 |  |
| TSXV | 1,011.00 | -9.23 | |
| CSE | 181.61 | +4.78 |  |
| DJIA | 49,230.71 | -79.61 | |
| NASDAQ | 24,836.60 | +398.09 | |
| S&P 500 | 7,165.08 | +56.68 | |
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.18 cents US compared to 73.02 cents US on Thursday.
US crude futures traded US$1.85 lower at US$94.00 a barrel, and the Brent contract lost $0.15 to US$104.90 a barrel.
The price of gold was up US$15.10 to US$4,721.38.
In world markets, the Nikkei was up 575.95 points to ¥59,716.18, the Hang Seng was up 62.87 points to HK$25,978.07, the FTSE was down 77.93 points to ₤10,379.08, and the DAX was down 14.58 points to €24,140.87.