The Canadian market is up in positive territory in late morning trades on Friday with stocks from energy and utilities sectors turning in a fine performance.

Integrated payments company American Express reported on Friday the net profit for the first quarter grew 35 percent from last year, driven by revenue growth across all its operating segments, partially offset by higher provisions for credit losses. Both earnings per share quarterly revenues topped analysts' estimates. The company also reaffirmed its earnings and revenue guidance for fiscal 2024.

Netflix Inc. shares were losing more than 6 percent on Friday's initial trading after the company announced plans to stop sharing its quarterly subscriber numbers, a key metrics, and average revenue per member from the first quarter of 2025. For the second quarter, the video streaming giant also projects sequentially lower paid net additions, saying it's due to typical seasonality, while global

Apple said Friday it was forced to pull out Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China after an order from the Chinese Internet regulator, citing national security concerns. Apple reportedly said the order was issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

Canadian shares are likely to open with a negative bias Friday morning with investors tracking commodity prices and weak European stocks. Concerns about geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over interest rate trajectory are likely to weigh on sentiment.

Asia stocks fall on Middle East tensions; gold, safe-haven currencies rise. UK retail sales flat. Fed comments affect bond yields, USD.

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: Halving helped Bitcoin digest sell-off

Gold, franc, yen and oil spike higher after Israel strikes Iran. But gains are pared after retaliatory response seen to be limited. Stocks head deeper into the red after disappointing tech earnings.

Gold prices have soared past 2400.00 USD, reaching a new record high on Friday. This marks the fifth consecutive week of gains for the precious metal, fuelled by increasing market demand for "safe-haven" assets amid escalating geopolitical tensions and uncertain global economic conditions.

USDCAD pauses aggressive bull run near five-month high. Faces resistance around 1.3800, but remains supported above 1.3690.