The S&P TSX Composite Index rose 0.7% to close at a record 32,613 on Friday, securing a weekly gain of 2.3% supported by strength among commodity producers, while investors parsed through key jobs data. Gold miners led the advance, with Agnico Eagle, Barrick, Wheaton Precious Metals, and Franco-Nevada climbing between 1.1% and 2.9% after bullion prices jumped on US employment data that reinforced a low hiring, low firing labor market consistent with a lower interest rate outlook. Energy stocks also outperformed, with Canadian Natural Resources, Suncor, and Imperial Oil gaining more than 1.8% each as crude extended its rebound for a second session. Domestically, December employment showed modest job gains and an unemployment rate of 6.8%, slightly above expectations, reinforcing signs of building labor market slack and supporting the Bank of Canada’s view that its 2.25% policy rate remains sufficiently restrictive.
