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TSX ends up 0.7% at 32,612.93

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Canada adds 8,200 jobs in December

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Materials sector gains 1.8% as gold climbs

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Energy rises 1.9% as oil settles 2.35% higher

(Updates at market close)

By Fergal Smith

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose to a

record high on Friday as commodity prices climbed and ‌domestic

employment data reassured investors that the economy is holding

up ahead of the review of a continental trade pact ​this year.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index ended up 234.29

points, or 0.7%, at 32,612.93, surpassing Tuesday's ‍record

closing high. For the week, the index added 2.3%, ⁠its biggest

weekly gain in ⁠six weeks.

Canada's job growth slowed in December, with the economy

creating just 8,200 new jobs after three months ‌of hiring

surges. The unemployment rate rose to 6.8% ​from 6.5% in

November. Analysts had expected a loss of 5,000 positions and a

jobless rate of 6.6%.

"With everything going on, unemployment is up ⁠somewhat but

the economy is OK," said ‍Lorne Steinberg, president ​at Lorne

Steinberg Wealth Management Inc.

"We have of course the U.S. trade agreement (review) coming

up and the biggest positive for me is that the U.S. auto ‍makers

are lobbying the U.S. government aggressively to keep free

trade."

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which has shielded

much of Canada's exports from U.S. tariffs, is up for joint

review in 2026. Major automakers have urged the Trump

administration to extend the free-trade deal they call crucial

to American auto production.

"Gold and metals are on fire," Steinberg said. "A little bit

is (down ​to) the ‍ongoing geopolitical uncertainty but a chunk of

it is the weakness of the U.S. dollar."

The U.S. dollar has rallied in recent days against a basket

of ​major currencies but was down 9.4% in 2025, its biggest

decline in eight years.

The materials group, which includes metal mining

shares, rose 1.8% as the price of gold moved closer to a

record high.

Oil also increased, settling 2.35% higher at $59.12 a

barrel, on growing supply worries linked to intensifying

protests in oil-producing Iran.

Energy added 1.9%, clawing back some of this week's

decline. Investors have worried that ​a boost in Venezuelan oil

exports to the United States could hurt Canadian companies that

sell a similar heavy oil.

Apparel retailer

Aritzia ( ATZAF ) also posted strong gains. Its shares rose

5% to notch a record high after quarterly results ‍beat

estimates.