Today in the markets
U.S. stocks were mixed Friday, with the Dow Jones finishing slightly ahead as Wal-Mart tumbled and investors weighed economic data.
Canadian stocks closed down as traders look to a weekend meeting of G20 finance ministers who are expected to tackle worries that some countries are using their currencies for economic gain.
The S&P/TSX Composite was off 35.16 points to 12,686.63, while the TSX Venture Exchange eased down 10.91 points to close at 1,185.65.
Active stocks included Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF, Stock Forum), which surged 1.2% to $38.74 as investor Carl Icahn disclosed late Thursday he had taken a 12.98% stake in the company and plans to discuss strategic alternatives with the nutritional-supplement company.
Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT, Stock Forum) slipped 2.1% to $69.30% amid the worst sales start of a month in seven years.
Goldcorp. Inc. (TSX: T.G, Stock Forum) and (NYSE: GG, Stock Forum) fell 1.9% to $33.99 as the miner said Thursday that record gold production levels at two mines in Ontario and Mexico helped it deliver a half-billion-dollar profit in the fourth quarter and positioned it well for the coming year. Adjusted earnings were 57 cents per share, beating analyst expectations of 54 cents per share.
For news about small stocks that made big moves in Friday’s trading, please read the
Stockhouse Canadian Small and Micro-cap Stock Report