TSX Ends Friday Virtually Unchanged

Equities in Canada’s biggest market edged higher on Friday, while concerns over U.S. trade deals ahead of the looming July 9 tariff deadline weighed on sentiment.

On a light day of trading, the TSX Composite Index inched higher 1.9 points to 27,036.18. This week, the index leaped 344 points, or 1.3%.

The Canadian dollar slid 0.16 cents to 73.51 cents U.S.

Northern shares zoomed Friday 38 cents, or 19.8%, to $2.30.

Elsewhere, real estate stocks led sectoral gains, as Allied Properties up 61 cents, or 3.5%, to $17.92. while units of H&R REIT popped $1.85, or 17.4%, to $12.48,

Consumer staples also fared well, with Premium Brands climbing $1.48, or 1.8%, to $83.77, while Saputo captured 94 cents, or 1.3%, to $72.03.

In telecoms, Quebecor gained 21 cents to $41.27, while those for Cogeco Communications were lifted 94 cents, or 1.3%, to $72.03.

Tech stocks pointed the other way, however, as Bitfarms lost four cents, or 2.8%, to$1.39, while Lightspeed Commerce she 19 cents, or 1.2%, to $15.84.

In consumer discretionary issues, BRP Inc. dipped 74 cents, or 1%, to $70.10, while PET Valu Holdings retreated 28 cents to $33.62.

Energy also lost ground, as Nuvista Energy slipped 23 cents, or 1.6%, to $14.27, while CES Energy Solutions faltered seven cents, or 1%, to $6.98.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States.

With Trump's 90-day pause on higher U.S. tariffs ending next week, investors have taken a cautious stance as several large trading partners are yet to clinch trade deals.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump are aiming to reach some form of a trade deal by July 21.

Oil prices docked 50 cents to $66.50 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices stepped forward $3.60 to $3,346.50 U.S. an ounce.

ON BAYSTREET

The TSX Venture Exchange forged ahead 1.14 points to end Friday at 755.22, for a hike on the week of 31 points, or 4.3%.

All but three of the 12 TSX subgroups were higher, with real-estate up 1.9%, consumer staples and telecoms each improving 0.5%.

The three laggards were information technology, sinking 0.2%, while consumer discretionary and energy stocks each sagged 0.1%.

ON WALLSTREET

U.S. indexes were closed for the Fourth of July holiday.