The S&P/TSX Composite Index fell 0.3% to close at 24,711 mark on Friday, as heavyweight mining names on the resource-heavy exchange came under pressure amid lingering uncertainty over U.S.–China tariff talks.
Bullion-linked stocks led the retreat: Agnico Eagle dipped 0.8% after gold prices pulled back sharply despite the miner nearly doubling first-quarter profits on robust output and lower costs, while Wheaton Precious, Barrick Gold and Franco-Nevada slid between 0.6% and 1.8%.
Tech shares proved more resilient—Shopify jumped 2.2%, cushioning the broader downturn.
Economically, retail sales fell 0.4% in February, underscoring how higher borrowing costs are straining domestic demand.
Traders also wrestled with mixed trade-war cues—reports that China might suspend its 125% tariffs on certain U.S. goods were quickly denied by Beijing even as President Trump asserted talks were ongoing—leaving investors cautious.
Despite Friday’s…
