23.01.202614:05:23UTC+00TSX Futures Hold Ground on Strong Commodities Tone

Futures linked to the S&P/TSX Composite Index remained largely unchanged on Friday, bolstered by stocks in the resource sector as investors continued evaluating Canada's economic growth prospects. December retail sales data from Canada indicated a decline, highlighting consumer vulnerability and diminishing expectations that the Bank of Canada has ceased its interest rate cuts. Mining stocks were set to maintain their upward trend, with gold prices reaching an all-time high due to increased safe-haven demand, following US President Trump's announcement about deploying naval vessels towards Iran. Oil prices also climbed, marking their fifth consecutive weekly increase, thus benefiting energy producers. In the corporate arena, Aris Mining appointed Neil Woodyer as its new chief executive officer following the market's close on Thursday. Conversely, Capstone Copper experienced pressure on its Australia-listed shares after a workers' strike led to a suspension of operations at its Mantoverde mine in Chile.