The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Canada's main stock index gained ground on Thursday amid recent trade developments, while AI stocks weighed on Wall Street. The unbylined item says that the S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 109.68 points at 34,966.67, driven by the technology and basic materials sectors. Raymond James's Brianne Gardner expects materials will be "one of the strongest-performing sectors over the next 12 months," supported by higher precious metal prices. The August gold contract was up $43.30 at$4,125.70 an ounce. On Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said his country is not renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement "in its current form" -- but the trade agreement will remain in place as negotiations continue. Ms. Gardner said the uncertainty around USMCA will remain a headline risk, but is not necessarily a reason to avoid the Toronto Stock Exchange. "Any modernization [of USMCA] could create opportunities in Canadian sectors like energy specifically, defence, transportation and even domestic supply chains," she said. Meanwhile, Nasdaq ended lower as softer-than-expected U.S. jobs report eased worries that the Federal Reserve could soon increase interest rates.