India, March 13 -- After two consecutive sessions of decline, Canadian stocks regained some ground in early trading on Friday but slumped as day progressed as traders analyzed the jobs data and core PCE numbers from Canada and the U.S., respectively, amid the deepening Middle East conflict.
The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index opened a little above yesterday's close but gave away the gains made early in the session to trade firmly negative throughout the remaining session before settling at 32,541.93, down by 298.67 points (or 0.91%).
Seven of the 11 sectors posted gains today, with the Consumer Staples sector leading the pack.
In Canada today, data released by Statistics Canada revealed that the unemployment rate rose to 6.7% in Februa...