Stocks in Canada Hit All-time High

The S&P/TSX Composite Index edged up to trade above 34,500 on Friday, benefiting from a strong session in the US amid cautious signs of progress between Iran and US in their conflict. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been “some good signs” in negotiations to end the nearly three-month-old conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, though major disagreements remained over Tehran’s uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Banks traded higher, with BMO up 0.5% and TD Bank gaining nearly 1%. Meanwhile, lower gold prices pressured mining shares as inflation fears reinforced expectations of a possible US interest rate hike later this year. Agnico Eagle shed more than 1% and Barrick lost over 1.5%. Investors also awaited quarterly earnings from major Canadian banks due next week.

TSX increased to an all-time high of 34566.00 Index Points. Over the past 4 weeks, Canada Stock Market Index (TSX) gained 1.75%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 33.63%.

Futures tracking the S&P/TSX Composite Index edged up on Friday amid uncertainty surrounding a potential breakthrough in US-Iran peace talks. Oil prices edged down, but remained elevated and sustained inflation concerns. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been “some good signs” in negotiations to end the nearly three-month-old conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, though major differences remained over Tehran’s uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, gold prices edged lower as inflation fears reinforced expectations of a possible US interest rate hike later this year, weighing on mining stocks. Investors also awaited quarterly earnings from major Canadian banks due next week.