S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Asian Currencies Strengthen as Indian Rupee and Australian Dollar Rally 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
China and Uruguay Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Shifting Global Order 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Canadian stocks closed slightly higher on Friday, with the S&P/TSX Composite Index edging up 0.01% to reach a new all-time high. Gains in the REITs, Real Estate, and Consumer Staples sectors helped propel the market forward.
H&R Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:HR_u) was the top performer, surging 17.22% to close at C$12.46—its highest level in a year. Allied Properties REIT (TSX:AP_u) climbed 3.81% to C$17.97, while Boardwalk REIT (TSX:BEI_u) rose 2.72% to end at C$70.95.
On the downside, Ngex Minerals Ltd (TSX:NGEX) dropped 4.36% to C$15.35. Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSX:IVN) slipped 1.51% to C$10.42, and TransAlta Corp (TSX:TA) declined 1.49% to C$14.50.
Market breadth was positive, with 511 stocks advancing, 320 declining, and 101 remaining unchanged on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The S&P/TSX 60 VIX, a key volatility gauge, jumped 10.94% to 9.53, signaling a slight uptick in market uncertainty.
In commodities, gold futures for August delivery inched up 0.11% to US$3,346.50 per troy ounce. Crude oil for August fell 0.76% to US$66.49 per barrel, while Brent oil for September dipped 0.42% to US$68.51.
Currency markets were stable, with CAD/USD unchanged at 0.74 and CAD/EUR holding at 0.62. The US Dollar Index Futures slipped 0.18% to 96.65, reflecting mild weakness in the greenback.
Investor sentiment remained optimistic despite minor pullbacks in energy and mining stocks, as REITs continued to demonstrate resilience amid broader economic uncertainty.
