The S&P/TSX Composite Index closed lower on Friday as base metals and energy stocks declined, while investors assessed stronger-than-expected Canadian economic growth and renewed Canada-US trade tensions.
The index closed down 280.33 points, or 0.8%, at 36,553.92, with most sectors in the red with base metals leading decliners, down 2.1%. Information technology shares fell 1.2% while energy shares dropped 1%. Financial sector shares nudged up 0.2%.
The Battery Metals Index, which includes companies listed both on the TSX and TSX Venture Exchange, rose 1.7%.
In commodities, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude fell as signs of improving oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz eased some concerns over Middle East supplies. Prices also came under pressure following comments from US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh pointing to the possibility of an interest-rate hike later this year.
October WTI crude oil contract settled down $0.13, or 0.2%, at $83.40 per barrel, while October Brent oil was last seen down $0.37, or 0.4%, at $89.33 per barrel.
Meanwhile, December Comex gold futures shed 3.4%, or $156.50, to $4,507.50 per ounce at last look.
In currencies, the US dollar edged up 0.4% against the Canadian dollar to 1.3907 at last look.
The Canadian currency came under pressure after the US imposed 50% tariffs and prompted a reciprocal response from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, UBS wrote in a note.
In economics news, Canada's gross domestic product grew 0.3% monthly in June, according to the country's statistical agency. The expansion was better than a Bloomberg survey consensus for a 0.2% monthly rise.
Meanwhile, GDP rebounded 3.3% in the second quarter but new trade restrictions cast a shadow over the outlook.
For TD Economics Senior Economist Andrew Hencic, the new US tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs, along with the prospect of further escalation, are "hard to dismiss". Hencic calculated the new taxes would likely shave 0.3 to 0.6 percentage points from growth over the next year.
The Bank of Canada is also expected to remain on the sidelines for the rest of the year and into 2027, BMO Chief Economist Douglas Porter wrote.
Canada added wood charcoal and copper wire, among other products, to its updated list of countertariffs on US goods presented this week, while removing seafood from the list following industry feedback. The list of items dropped to 648 from 874, according to Scotiabank Economics.