The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.7% to close at 36,620 on Friday, driven by gains in mining and banking stocks. Agnico Eagle climbed 2.3%, Barrick rose 2.9% and WPM jumped 4.9% as gold prices held their gains after the U.S. signaled plans to increase Treasury note and bond buybacks in the secondary market. Financial stocks also advanced after weaker-than-expected retail sales reinforced expectations that the Bank of Canada will keep interest rates unchanged next week. BMO added 0.6% and Scotiabank gained 1%. Fairfax Financial rose 0.2% and is a frontrunner to acquire the Indian government’s stake in IDBI Bank; it is set to receive up to two years to consolidate its Indian banking holdings, potentially easing the acquisition process. Retail stocks mostly declined, with ARD down 0.4%, Loblaw off 0.7% and Dollarama down 0.5%.