After a marginal increase in the value of the US Dollar, gold prices tumbled; this in turn led to a fall in prices of stocks across Canadian markets on Friday.

The S&P/TSX index declined for the second consecutive day by 125.75 points, or 1.1%, to trade at 11510.80. During the week, however, the country's benchmark exchange was unchanged, gaining a mere 0.4%.

The TSX venture exchange also fell on Friday, slipping by 11.15 points, or 0.8%, to 1450.4 points.

Gold, on the market, has recorded the biggest fall of the year, slipping by US$48.60 to close at US$1,168.80. Crude oil also declined by US99 cents, and the Canadian Dollar dropped 28 basis points to close at a low of US94.53.

"November's report confirmed that the slowing trend in job cuts remains intact and although the economy isn't strong enough to generate jobs yet, the report indicates an easing in the labour market malaise", said Dawn Desjardins, assistant chief economist, RBC Economics.

Markets across the US, however, managed to rise on Friday with Dow Jones adding 22.75 points, S&P rising by 0.6% and NASDAQ boasting a rise of 1%.