Stocks Pare Losses

(CORRECTS CLOSING FIGURE ON VENTURE EXCHANGE)

Bourses in Toronto came back from triple-digit in-the-red readings to within spitting distance of breakeven.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index fought their way to within 24.2 points of Thursday’s close to finish the day and the week at 16,297.55

The Canadian dollar gained 0.31 cents to 74.53 cents

Gold stocks drooped 49 cents, or 3%, to $16.14, while Kinross Gold let go of five cents, or 1.2%, to $4.09.

Among consumer discretionary issues, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers fell $1.69, or 3.6%, to $44.99, after its first-quarter profit missed estimates. Magna International handed back $1.09, or 1.7%, to $63.48.

Suncor Energy retreated 77 cents, or 1.8%, to $42.80, while Imperial Oil faded 36 cents to $37.97.

Among gainers was real-estate, where Colliers International Group picked up 25 cents to $82.39, while Brookfield Asset Management popped $1.76, or 2.8%, to $64.11

In communications, Shaw picked up a dime to $27.29, while Rogers gained 67 cents, or 1%, to $69.06.

In utilities, Fortis grew 15 cents to $49.83, while Hydro One amassed 19 cents to $21.91.

Economically speaking, Statistics Canada said the economy created 107,000 jobs in April, with notable gains in part-time work for youth.
The unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percentage points to 5.7% as more people participated in the labour market.

Elsewhere, Canadian municipalities issued $8.1 billion worth of building permits in March, up 2.1% from February. The increase was attributable to higher construction intentions in Western Canada.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange regained 7.37 points to 599.48

Eight of the 12 Toronto subgroups were lower on the day, as gold stumbled 1%, consumer discretionary lost 0.9%, and energy listed lower 0.6%.

The four gainers were led by real-estate, garnering 0.7%, communications, picking up 0.6%, and utilities, better by 0.3%.

ON WALLSTREET

Stocks staged a massive reversal on Friday after President Donald Trump said conversations with China over trade will continue and his relationship with President Xi Jinping remains strong.

The Dow Jones Industrials leaped 114.01 points to 25,942.37, roaring back from a 358-point loss earlier in the session that came in the wake of a tariff increase by the U.S. effective just after midnight.

The S&P 500 recovered 10.68 points to 2,881.40, snapping a four-day losing streak. Still, the index suffered its worst week of the year, losing nearly 2.2%.

The NASDAQ Composite regained 6.35 points to 7,916.94, after stocks rallied from their lows.

Major averages began paring some of their losses midday after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said China trade talks had ended for the day and were "constructive." Chinese Vice Premier Liu He also said the talks went "fairly well," according to reports.

Despite Trump's tweet that conversations with China would continue, Mnuchin later told the media no official talks are planned as of now.
Apple, which has growing China revenue exposure for the iPhone, was still down 1.4% on Friday.

Ride-hailing giant Uber began trading on the New York Stock Exchange Friday at $42 per share, after pricing at $45 per share. The stock finished the day 7.6% lower.

Prices for the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury reversed and moved lower, raising yields to 2.47% from Thursday’s 2.45%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices slid four cents to $61.66 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices added $1.30 to $1,286.50 U.S. an ounce.


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