FX.co ★ TSX Holds Near Flat

The S&P/TSX Composite Index hovered around the 35,000 level on Friday, ending little changed as weakness in banking and energy stocks was offset by strength in mining and technology names. Energy shares retreated alongside declining oil prices, pressured by easing supply concerns as more tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz. This came even as Iran reiterated its control over shipping in the Strait and cautioned Gulf states against aligning with the US, a day after an attack on a vessel near Oman highlighted the fragility of the preliminary peace deal.

Canadian Natural Resources and Suncor Energy each shed more than 1%. Major banks also traded lower as bond yields climbed, with Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank, and Bank of Montreal all down about 0.5%.

In contrast, mining stocks advanced as Canada and Japan deepened cooperation on mining projects, including the prospect of joint stockpiling, while gold prices strengthened. Agnico Eagle Mines and Barrick Gold both gained roughly 1%.

In the technology sector, Shopify rose 2.5% and Constellation Software added 1.3%, while Celestica fell 4.3%, mirroring weakness in US tech shares.