Canada's main stock index was lower to end the week on Friday and sustained a weekly decline.
The TSX Composite Index came to within inches of the breakeven point, but ultimately, stayed in the minus column 8.82 points to close at 33,904.11. on the week, the index slid 442 points, or 1.29%.
The Canadian dollar restrengthened 0.17 cents at 73.17 cents U.S.
Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire for three weeks, while U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to wait for "the best deal" to end his war with Iran.
A majority of economists, polled ?by Reuters, reportedly expect the Bank of Canada to remain on hold through the year, in contrast to LSEG ?data that shows markets pricing in a rate hike by end-2026.
The BoC might have to reassess its plans to hold if high energy prices persist into the second and third ?quarters
Sun Life Financial gained 87 cents to $97.94, after the National Bank of Canada upgraded the stock to "outperform."
Elsewhere, energy issues were weighed down most by Athabasca Oil, sliding 41 cents, or 3.5%, to $11.22, while Whitecap Resources dished off 32 cents, or 2.1%, to $14,77.
In telecoms, Rogers sank $1.87, or 3.7%, to $49.26, while BCE demurred 34 cents, or 1%, to $32.63.
Real-estate was on the down side looking up, as FirstService tanking $4.51, or 2.2%, to $200.04, while Colliers International stepped back $2.92, or 1.9%, to $148.88.
Health-care led gainers, on the wings of Curaleaf Holdings, up51 cents, or 12.8%, to $4.37, while Sienna Senior Living hiked 42 cents, or 1.9%, to $23.67.
In utilities, TransAlta jumped 48 cents, or 2.9%, to $17.03, while Capital Power forged ahead $1.41, or 2,1%, to $67.25
Gold also cleared breakeven, led by Alamos Gold, up $1.53, or 2.5%, to 61.72, while Kinross Gold gained 85 cents, or 1.9%, to $44.79.
In the economic world, Statistics Canada says retail sales increased 0.7% to $72.1 billion in February. Sales were up in seven of nine subsectors, led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange docked 9.2 points to 1,011, for a loss on the week of 43 points, or 4.1%.
Seven of the 12 TSX subgroups raised themselves into the green by the close, headed by health-care, up 3.8%, gold, shinier by 1.9%, while utilities gathered 0.6%.
The five laggards were weighed most by energy and telecoms, down 1.4% each, while real-estate sagged 0.5%.
ON WALLSTREET
The S&P 500 rose Friday after investors were given a hopeful sign that peace talks between the U.S. and Iran would soon take place in Pakistan.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 80.84 points to 49,228.48.
The much broader index grew 56.59 points to 7,164.99.
The NASDAQ spiked 398.09 points, or 1.6%, to 24,836.60.
For the three major averages, however, the week is shaping up to be mixed. The S&P 500 ended the period up 0.5%, while the Dow is tracking for a 0.6% decline. The NASDAQ rose 1.5% this week.
MS NOW reported, citing a Pakistani official, that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday evening to have a discussion with Pakistani mediators about a possible second round of negotiations with the U.S.
Oil prices pulled back following the development. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were last trading above $94 per barrel, while international benchmark Brent crude futures were trading above $105 a barrel.
Given Thursday’s reversal from all-time highs for the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, headlines coming from the Middle East still can sway the market, even as traders attempt to look past the conflict and focus on corporate earnings reports.
The move higher in S&P 500 on Friday was supported by Intel shares, which soared $15.79, or 23.6% to $82.57. The chipmaker posted first-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street’s expectations and shared an upbeat forecast for its current quarter.
That adds to the rally semiconductor stocks have seen this week.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury turned higher, making yields dip to 4.31% from Thursday’s 4.32%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices lost 88 cents to $94.93 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices tacked on $8.30 to $4,732.30 U.S. an ounce.
