Canada's benchmark index traveled higher on Friday, supported by mining stocks while investors drew optimism from signs that the Middle East ceasefire was holding as well as a resilient U.S. economy ?after stronger than expected jobs data.
The TSX Composite Index ballooned 241.15 points to reach noon EDT Friday at 34,097.77. On the week so far, the index is in the plus column 207 points, or 0.6%.
The Canadian dollar dipped 0.12 cents to 73.07 cents U.S.
Miners led the pack, First Quantum Minerals taking on $1.98, or 6%, to $35.00, Capstone Copper gained 63 cents, or 5.2%, to $12.58, and Wesdome Gold Mines rose 88 cents, or 3.3%, to $27.68, to be among the top gainers on the index.
Rogers Sugar's second-quarter revenue fell and missed analyst expectations. Rogers faded three cents to $6.60.
Cardinal Energy's first-quarter revenue rose ?on record production. Cardinal took on 14 cents, or 1.2%, to $12.26.
Emera's ?first-quarter adjusted EPS rose 7% yr/yr, beating analyst expectations. Emera gained $1.05, or 1.5%, to $72.29.
On the earnings front, Enbridge inched up 22 cents to $73.95, after the pipeline operator reported first-quarter adjusted profit that surpassed analysts' expectations.
Energy Fuels fell $2.30, or 7.2%, to $29.55, even as the rare earth producer's first-quarter revenue rose.
Friday is jobs day in Canada, and Statistics Canada reported employment was little changed in April (-18,000; -0.1%) and the unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 6.9%, as more people searched for work.
The United States and Iran are edging toward a limited, temporary agreement to halt their war, sources and officials said, with the emerging plan centering on a short-term memorandum rather than a comprehensive peace deal.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange eked 0.58 points to 994.86.
All but one of the 12 TSX subgroups were in plus territory to break for lunch, co-led by materials and gold, each up 2.1%, while consumer discretionary stock took on 1.1%.
Only information technology missed the party, sliding 0.6%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. equities rose on Friday following a better-than-expected April’s jobs report and as traders eyed developments between the U.S. and Iran.
The Dow Jones Industrials index surged 54.96 points to 49,651.93.
The S&P 500 acquired 59.87 points to 7,396.45.
The NASDAQ popped 342.24 points, or 1.1%, to 26,148.43.
All three major averages are on track to finish the week higher as earnings continue to come in strong. Upbeat tech earnings have put the
NASDAQ on pace to climb 3% on the week. The S&P 500 is on track for a rise of about 2%, heading for its sixth consecutive winning week, while the Dow Jones has lagged with a week-to-date gain of 0.7%.
The broader market’s rise on Friday was supported by a rise in chip stocks such as Micron Technology and Qualcomm. Micron shares were up 10%, while Qualcomm popped 9%, positioning the stock for a fourth consecutive day of gains.
Sentiment was also bolstered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that nonfarm payrolls rose by 115,000 last month, more than the 55,000 that economists polled by Dow Jones were expecting. The U.S. jobless rate also held steady at 4.3%, in line with expectations.
Additionally, oil prices were marginally lower, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures dipping nearly 1% to around $94 per barrel, even after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Each side claimed the other struck first. U.S. Central Command said that military forces “intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes” as a trio of U.S. Navy destroyers transited the waterway.
In a Truth Social post Thursday night, President Donald Trump said there was “no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers.” He also reportedly said that the ceasefire is still in effect, saying the strikes against Iranian targets were “just a love tap.”
Investors have been awaiting a response from Iran on the proposal to end the conflict in the Middle East after Iranian state media reported Thursday that Iran was reviewing messages from the U.S. that were received through Pakistani mediators but had not yet reached a conclusion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Friday that the U.S. “should know something today.”
Prices for the 10-year Treasury jumped, lowering yields to 4.37% from Thursday’s 4.39%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices gained 84 cents to $95.65 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices strengthened $7.00 to $4,717.90 U.S. an ounce.
