Consumer Staples and Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada: The S P/TSX composite index gained 15.37 points to 14,779.35, with the consumer staples section ahead 0.9 per cent as Statistics Canada reported retail sales rose 0.4 per cent to $43 billion in November. Economists had generally expected a decline, according to The Toronto Star. Given the drop in oil prices, we re all trying to assess if it will have an impact on confidence and therefore the Canadian consumer and The Toronto stock market closed slightly higher Friday as consumer stocks advanced in the wake of a strong retail report and energy stocks climbed amid questions about whether the death of Saudi Arabia s King Abdullah could mean a change in the amount of oil his country is producing. We re all focused on the consumer, whether it s in the U.S. or Canada, and to see the Canadian consumer stepping up and spending certainly has a beneficial impact, said Patrick Blais, managing director and portfolio manager, Manulife Asset Management. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.