TORONTO –
Canada’s main stock index closed essentially unchanged Friday even as crude oil prices surpassed US$80 for the first time in seven years and a strong September jobs report saw employment return to pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
The S&P/TSX composite index dropped near the end of trading to conclude the day up just one-tenth of a point to 20,416.31 after hitting an intraday high of 20,510.74.
The Toronto market gained 1.3 per cent on the week, 1.7 per cent since the start of October and 17.1 per cent so far in 2021.
“It has been a good start to October after a rough September and energy and material sectors have definitely been leading the way this month,” said Michael Currie, vice-president and investment adviser at TD Wealth.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 8.69 points at 34,746.25. The S&P 500 index was down 8.42 points at 4,391.34 while the Nasdaq…