Canada’s main stock index fell on Friday and is set to end the week down 0.7%, dragged by energy and material stocks, after preliminary data showed a sharp drop in retail sales in December. | At 11:30 a.m. ET, the Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index was down 122.54 points, or 0.68%, at 17,793.66. | The nation’s retail sales jumped much more than expected in November, but preliminary figures for December suggest a sharp drop as novel coronavirus restrictions were re-imposed, Statistics Canada said. | | | | More stories below advertisement | | | latest stories from globe advisor | | | | Adriano Valentini/The Globe and Mail | davidp/iStockPhoto / Getty Images | DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press | Sébastien Thibault /The Globe and Mail | More stories below advertisement | | | Latest stories from Globe Investor | | | | Latest stories from Report on Business | | | | Did you know? - We also have an Advisor Weekly newsletter to help you stay on top of your industry. Sign up today. | | | | | | | |