The benchmark index of the Toronto Stock Exchange incurred its first loss in nine sessions on Friday, shedding more than 2% led by weakness among energy stocks.

The S&P/TSX composite index fell 184.14 points, or 2.1%, to close at 8,506.35. For the week, the benchmark index added 2.4%.

The energy group fell 4.1% as oil futures retreated. Crude oil for April delivery, which expired Friday, fell US$0.55, or 1.1%, to end at US$51.06 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Despite the drop, the commodity ended the week up a sharp 10.4%.

Suncor Energy Inc. tumbled $2.50, or 7.5%, to close at $30.90 and Talisman Energy Inc. dropped 6.8% to $13.00.

Shares of Petro-Canada finished at $29.65, down 4.1%, while Nexen Inc. shed 5.2% to $19.25.

Also lower was Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., off $1.88, or 3.7%, to $48.67.

The financials group fell 1.9% during Friday’s trading.

Shares of Manulife Financial Corp. dropped 4.7% to $14.04 and Sun Life Financial Corp. fell 7.5% to $20.75.

National Bank of Canada shares fell 3.6% to $40.99 and CIBC’s stock finished at $44.33, down 3%.

Also lower was TMX Group Inc., down $1.27, or 3.6%, to $33.60.

Meanwhile, a day after gold futures surged nearly 8%, the contract slipped lower. Gold for April delivery fell US$2.60, or 0.3%, to end at US$956.20 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. For the week, the precious metal gained 2.8%.

The sub-gold index added 0.3% on Friday, while the materials group slipped 1.1%.

Shares of Kinross Gold Corp. shed 3.7% after news late on Thursday that the company signed an agreement to buy a stake in diamond miner and retailer Harry Winston Diamond. Kinross shares closed at $22.28.

Shares of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. tumbled $3.22, or 7.7%, to $38.60 and Inmet Mining Corp. saw its stock fall 8.1% to $33.65.

Agrium Inc. shares declined $1.80, or 3.9%, to $44.90.

The S&P/TSX Venture composite dipped 1.77 points, or 0.2%, to close at 901.8.

The Canadian dollar slipped 0.12¢ to close at US80.68¢.

In New York, U.S. equities also ended lower on Friday, but finished the week with gains.

The Dow Jones industrial average declined 122.42 points, or 1.7%, to 7,278.38, leaving the blue-chip index up 0.7% for the week.

The S&P 500 index fell 15.5 points, or 2%, to land at 768.54, up 1.5% from the week-ago close.

The Nasdaq composite index shed 26.21 points, or 1.8%, to 1,457.27, leaving the index up 1.8% from last Friday’s close.