27.02.202621:07:28UTC+00TSX Falls on Friday

Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index fell 0.5% to close at 34,340 on Friday, pulling back from record territory as a mix of hotter‑than‑expected US inflation data and persistent domestic growth worries pressured Bay Street. Although the Canadian economy grew 0.2% in December, a 0.6% contraction over the broader fourth quarter continued to weigh on investor sentiment.

The downturn was led by a 4.3% slide in Shopify, as software and AI infrastructure stocks worldwide came under heavy selling pressure after stronger‑than‑forecast US producer price figures. Financials also weakened, with Royal Bank down 1.8% and TD Bank off 1.7% amid mounting concerns that inflation will remain stubbornly high.

In contrast, energy and materials helped cushion the overall decline as oil prices advanced and gold climbed to a two‑month high. Enbridge gained 1.4%, Agnico Eagle rose 1.6%, and Fairfax Financial added 0.4% after emerging as the leading contender to acquire India’s IDBI Bank.

Despite Friday’s pullback, the TSX concluded a volatile week with a 1.5% gain and posted a robust 7.6% increase for the month.