Canadian equities finished the week higher Friday, with gold miners and health-care stocks providing support, but financials weighing on the market.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index squeezed 10.40 points higher to end a short week at 11,576.47. Markets were shut down last Monday for Victoria Day.
The Canadian dollar slid 0.32 to 97.11 cents U.S.
In Toronto, gold miners strengthened, as shares of Goldcorp Inc. climbed 1.2% to $38.84 and Barrick Gold Corp. rose 1.8% to $41.24 as gold futures edged higher Friday following a rough week.
Technology shares were also among the gainers, as shares of Research In Motion Ltd. added 3.3% to $11.34.
But financials pressured the market, as Bank of Nova Scotia shares lost 0.9% to $50.95 and stock in the Royal Bank of Canada fell 2% to $50.35.
Senior oil and gas producers such as Talisman Energy Inc. prospered 4.2 % to $10.79, while Suncor Energy Inc. gained 1.3% to $28.87, and EnCana Corp. took on 1.6% to $21.14.
Also in Toronto, shares of lululemon athletica Inc. fell 0.5% to $74.22. KeyBanc Capital Markets cut its rating on the retailer's stock to hold from buy, citing its "cautious view on the U.S. high-end consumer" and the company's high valuation
ON BAYSTREET
The TSX Venture Exchange gained 26.80 points to 1,309.27, while the Nasdaq Canada forged ahead 3.62 points to 365.49.
Of the 14 Toronto subgroups, nine were higher. Health-care stocks were 1.6% more robust, gold shone 1.3% brighter, while information technology clicked 1.1% higher.
The five laggards were weighed by financials, down 1%, global base metals faded 0.5% and consumer discretionary stocks dipped 0.3%.
ON WALLSTREET
U.S. stocks were mixed Friday as investors weighed ongoing worries about Europe against an optimistic report on American consumers.
The Dow Jones Industrials ended Friday down 74.92 points to 12,454.80
The S&P 500 fell 2.91 points to 1,317.77. The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index was weaker by 1.85 points to 2,837.53
Despite the weakness on Friday, the major indexes were all on track to end higher for the week. The Dow is headed for a gain of about 1%, after suffering its worst decline of the year last week.
Facebook shares fell after gaining 3% on Thursday, as the company continues to deal with the fallout from its bungled IPO last week. The offering has prompted concern from regulators and lawsuits from investors who say they were denied access to privileged information ahead of the stock's debut.
Signs that the Spanish banking crisis is worsening weighed on investors. Trading was halted on the Madrid stock exchange for shares of Bankia, the nation's fourth-largest bank, as its board prepares a request for recapitalization funds from Spain's central bank. Investors were also rattled by a report that certain Spanish municipalities are struggling to raise money.
The euro remained under pressure at about $1.25. The currency is down 5% in the past month and analysts say it has further to fall.
Meanwhile, trading volumes were low ahead of a three-day weekend for U.S. markets, with many investors taking the day off or leaving early.
On the economic slate, the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment rose to 79.3 from 76.4 in April.
The price on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury gained a bit of ground, lowering the yield to 1.74% from Thursday's 1.76%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
The price of a barrel of oil was ahead 25 cents to $90.85 U.S.
Gold futures for June delivery rose $7.80 to $1,565.30 U.S. an ounce.
