Stocks in Toronto somehow kept their heads above water, as Friday’s closing bell sounded, as momentum in energy kept the negatives affecting utilities at bay.
The S&P/TSX Composite gained 67.22 points Friday to close the week at 18,460.21, a jump of 324 points, or 1.8%, on the last five sessions.
The Canadian dollar eked lower by 0.01 cents to 78.73 cents U.S.
Energy roared through the day, with Vermilion Energy charging ahead 35 cents, or 5.4%, to $6.82, while Prairie Sky Royalties added 84 cents, or 7.3%, to $12.31.
Industrials were next, with Air Canada taking off the sky, gaining $1.10, or 5.2%, to $22.30, while Mullen Group was 31 cents more solid, or 3.1%, to $10.34.
In consumer staples, Jamieson Wellness grabbed 47 cents, or 1.3%, to $35.94, while Alimentation Couche-Tard improved 49 cents, or 1.3%, to $39.73.
Utilities, however, let the side down somewhat, as Transalta Renewables slid 30 cents, or $1.4%, to $21.19, while Innergex doffed $1.49, or 5.3%, to $26.87.
In gold stocks, Centerra Gold lost 41 cents, or 2.9%, to $13.55, while Yamana Gold dipped 13 cents, or 2.1%, to $6.08.
Tech stocks also wilted, with Absolute Sofware down 79 cents, or 3.8%, to $19.82, while Celestica collapsed 35 cents, or 3.1%, to $11.06.
On the economic front, Statistics Canada reported wholesale trade fell 1.3% in December to $66.5 billion, the first decline after seven consecutive increases.
The agency attributes the decrease to sharply lower sales of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories; and machinery, equipment and supplies.
Markets on both sides of the border are closed Monday, in Canada, for Family Day, and in the States for Presidents Day.
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange rebounded 30.04 points, or 2.9%, to 1,068.01, a gain on the week of 34 points, or 3.4%.
Eight of the 12 TSX subgroups were lower on the day, most notably, utilities, off 0.5%, while gold and information technology each slid 0.4%.
The four gainers were led by energy, sprinting 2.1%, industrials, up 1.2%, and consumer staples, better by 0.5%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks finished marginally higher on Friday to set another round of record closes.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 27.7 points to finish Friday at 31,458.40, for a new all-time high. The gain on the week was 300 points, or nearly one full percentage point.
The S&P 500 gained 18.45 points to close at 3,934.83, progressing 48 points, or 1.24% on the week.
The NASDAQ Composite hiked 69.7 points on the day to 14,095.47. The jump on the week was 239 points, or 1.7%.
Shares of Disney erased earlier gains and traded 1.7% lower even after the company reported strong growth in paid streaming subscribers and crushed expectations in its earnings report for its fiscal first quarter of 2021. Disney said it now has almost 95 million paid subscribers on its Disney+ streaming service.
The market ground higher to notch records this month as investors remained hopeful for a smooth economic reopening as well as additional COVID stimulus. The Dow has gained 4.7% in February, while the S&P 500 jumped 5.4%, and the NASDAQ has rallied 7.1%. The S&P 500 raked in nine record closes in 2021.
The major averages are still on track to post a positive week near record levels, though the strong rally to begin February has taken a slight breather. The blue-chip Dow posted two little changed days this week, while the S&P 500 fluctuated within 0.2% for three days in a row.
Cyclical sectors, those most sensitive to an economic rebound, led the rally in February. Energy is up more than 12% month to date, while financials rallied 8.4%. Materials were also among the top-performing S&P 500 sectors this month, rising more than 6%. Investors also piled into beaten-down small-cap stocks, pushing the Russell 200 up 10% this month.
President Joe Biden said Thursday his administration has secured deals for another 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna and Pfizer, bringing the U.S. total to 600 million. He added the U.S. will have enough supply for 300 million Americans by end of July.
Prices for 10-Year Treasurys dipped, sending yields higher to 1.21% from Thursday’s 1.16%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices regained $1.42 to $59.66 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices dropped $5.60 to $1,821.20.
