Markets in Toronto were little changed in early trade on Friday, pausing on the way to a fourth straight weekly gain, as banks, telecoms and energy stocks rose and the materials sector fell.
The S&P/TSX Composite faded 6.09 points to begin Friday at 14,559.74
The Canadian dollar dropped 0.19 cents to 76.22 cents U.S.
Husky Energy, Canada's number-three integrated oil company, reported a second-quarter loss compared with a year-earlier profit as production fell due to planned maintenance and the Fort McMurray wildfire in Alberta.
Husky shares tacked on four cents to $15.46.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International said U.S. regulators have raised concerns over a new eye drop manufactured at a Bausch + Lomb facility in Florida.
Valeant shares faltered 89 cents, or 2.8%, to $31.14.
Barclays raises the price target on Loblaw Companies to $78.00 from $77.00. Loblaw shares lost 11 cents to $71.24.
Canaccord Genuity raised the price target on Rogers Communications to $55.00 from $50.00. Rogers shares climbed 81cents, or 1.5%, to $56.48.
Raymond James raised the price target on WestJet Airlines to $22.25 from $20.50. WestJet shares soared 36 cents, or 1.6%, to $23.00.
On the economic slate, Statistics Canada reported that consumer price index figures rose 1.5% in the 12 months to June, matching the gain in May. On a seasonally-adjusted monthly basis, the CPI increased 0.2% in June, matching the gain in May.
Moreover, retail sales rose 0.2% to $44.3 billion in May, following a 0.9% increase in April. Sales were up in six of 11 sub-sectors, representing 51% of retail trade
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange prospered 2.66 points to 768.86
Seven of the 13 subgroups slid down the charts, as the health-care and metals and mining each subsided 1.1%, while materials fell back 0.8%.
The half-dozen gainers were headed by telecoms, up 0.7%, while information technology and utilities each charged ahead 0.3%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks traded mostly flat Friday, following a day of losses as investors waded through mixed earnings reports.
The Dow removed 8.15 points to 18,509.08, after snapping its nine-day winning streak a day earlier. Boeing had the biggest negative impact while Chevron added the most gains.
The S&P 500 inched up 1.49 points to 2,166.66, while telecom and utilities led six sectors higher.
American Airlines was among the biggest gainers on the S&P, leading transports higher after meeting second-quarter estimates. GE had another notable beat on earnings.
The NASDAQ recovered 9.15 points to 5,083.22
General Electric posted earnings five cents U.S. a share above estimates. Revenue was up 15% over a year ago, although GE said the current business environment is being affected by a "volatile and slow growth economy."
Honeywell, Stanley Black & Decker, and Whirlpool also topped estimates, while Starbucks, Chipotle, and Sketchers were among the misses.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury faded, raising yields to 1.57% from Thursday’s 1.56%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices backtracked 74 cents a barrel to $44.01 U.S.
Gold prices subtracted eight dollars to $1,323.00 U.S. an ounce.
