Today in the markets
U.S. stocks drifted higher Friday as investors remained sidelined by political gridlock in Washington.
Canadian stocks finished ahead in choppy month-end trading as gains were capped by a lack of progress in the U.S. budget talks.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 36.51 points to 12,239.36, while the TSX Venture Exchange added 2.52 points to close at 1,220.90.
Active stocks included St. Jude Medical Inc. (NYSE: STJ, Stock Forum), which rallied 1.7% to $34.28 after the hospital's board authorized a $1-billion U.S. stock buyback.
Zynga Inc. (ZNGA: NGS, Stock Forum) shares also extended their decline by falling 6.1% to $2.46 on Friday, after tumbling 13% after-hours Thursday on news that the terms of its deal with Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB, Stock Forum) had substantially changed.
In Canada, Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX: T.CVE, Stock Forum) shares were up 0.88% to $33.36 while Environment Minister Peter Kent refused to approve an Alberta gas project planned by the Calgary-based company. The proposal involves a project in the CFB Suffield national wildlife area. Kent says the gas project would put wildlife at risk and he had to turn it down.
Telus Corp. (TSX: T.T, Stock Forum) shares rose 0.42% to $64.84 as it said the non-Canadian ownership of its common shares is down, leading it to suggest that Mason Capital may have reduced its stake in the company.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Friday’s trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report