TSX Ends Superb Year On A Down Note -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks tumbled Friday, trimming this year's strong gains amid some risk aversion ahead of the New Years break.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was down 134 points to 15,287.59, slipping from its highest since April 2015.

Canadian stocks surged up 17 percent in 2016, the best performer among major global markets.

Health care stocks jumped 4 percent, led by Prometic Life Sciences (PLI.TO).

Gold stocks fell 4 percent as traders booked profits from a recent run-up.

In the energy sector, the US oil rig count increased by two to 525 in the final week of 2016, rising to the highest level in a year, Baker Hughes reported.

Nymex Feb. oil futures lost 5 cents, or 0.1%, to settle at $53.72 a barrel.

Still, oil was up 45% in 2016, having touched a 13-year low in 2015.