Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Stabilizes, Yen Weakens Ahead of Japan Election 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
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.
