The S&P TSX Composite Index rose about 0.3% to trade above 32,500 for the first time on Friday, setting the stage for a weekly gain of more than 2% supported by commodity producers while investors digested key jobs reports. Gold miners led the advance, with Agnico Eagle, Barrick, Wheaton Precious Metals, and Franco-Nevada climbing between 1.5% and 4.5% after bullion prices surged on US jobs data that reinforced a low hiring, low firing labor market consistent with a lower interest rate outlook. Energy stocks also advanced, with Canadian Natural Resources, Suncor, and Imperial Oil gaining more than 1.5% each as crude extended its rebound for a second session. On the domestic front, December employment data showed modest job gains and an unemployment rate of 6.8%, slightly above expectations, reinforcing the view that labor market slack is building and supporting the Bank of Canada’s assessment that its 2.25% policy rate remains sufficiently restrictive.
