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Toronto ends lower

TORONTO (Reuters) - The Toronto Stock Exchange’s main index ended lower, pulled down by weakness in resources as the market took a breather from a record-setting week.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 23.29 points, or 0.2 percent, at 13,425.02, after hitting a record high of 13,460.25 earlier in the day. The market is closed on Friday for the Easter holiday.

The benchmark index was up 1.97 percent on the week. Six of its 10 main groups ended Friday lower, with the key energy and materials sectors down, while financials also sagged.

Energy stocks fell as the price of US crude settled down 10 cents at $64.28 a barrel after Iran’s release of 15 British sailors, quelling fears over crude shipments from the world’s fourth-largest exporter.

A report this week of a big drop in US gasoline inventories ahead of peak summer demand also gave prices some support.

Canadian Natural Resources fell 75 Canadian cents, or 1.1 percent, to C$65.34 and EnCana was off 15 Canadian cents, or 0.3 percent, at C$59.85.

The materials sector slid 0.6 percent following the recent rally in most metals prices.

Alcan slumped 82 Canadian cents, or 1.3 percent to C$61.16, while Teck Cominco fell C$1.19, or 1.4 percent, to C$82.98.

For the most part, the market shrugged off much better-than-expected March jobs data that prompted increased speculation that the Bank of Canada’s next rate move will be an increase.

Statistics Canada said Thursday that Canada added 54,900 jobs in March.