TSX Lifted by Commodity Producers

The S&P/TSX Composite Index edged up 0.2% to close at 31,961 on Friday, as the resource-heavy benchmark navigated a sharp global equity sell-off amid surging commodity prices. Strength in energy and mining stocks helped cushion the index from the steeper declines seen on Wall Street. Gold and materials names led the advance, with Agnico Eagle Mines gaining 3.2% and Wheaton Precious Metals up 4.7%. Energy producers also rallied, as shares of Suncor and Canadian Natural Resources climbed more than 2.5% following fresh disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. In contrast, the information technology sector came under pressure, with Shopify slipping 2.8%, while major banks including Royal Bank and TD Bank fell more than 1% as rising bond yields and mounting stagflation concerns weighed on rate- and credit-sensitive stocks. Although President Trump postponed the strike deadline on Iranian infrastructure to April 6, reports of a potential deployment of an additional 10,000 US troops kept risk premiums elevated.