TSX Ends Week At Highest Since June -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks were flat Friday, holding recent gains on a relatively quiet day for global stocks.

The TSX Composite Index was virtually unchanged at 15,454.23, preserving yesterday's 3-month highs.

Traders weighed a flurry of Canadian economic data. Gold stocks rebounded and financials pushed higher, offsetting weakness among energy and telecoms.

Oil's rally stalled amid uncertainty over the outcome of today's oil meeting.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Russia and OPEC can wait until at least January before announcing further production quotas. Oil was stuck near $50 a barrel on the news.

In economic news, Canada's Consumer Price Index rose 1.4% on a year-over-year basis in August, following a 1.2% increase in July. That's a slightly weaker increase than was projected.

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, inflation was up 0.2% in August, matching the increase in July.

Retail sales rose 0.4% to $49.1 billion in July. Higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers and food and beverage stores were the main contributors to the gain.