A weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs report and softer commodity prices helped drag Toronto stocks sharply lower Friday.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 199.62 points, or 1.43%, at 13,778.58, the steepest decline in nearly three weeks.

The index was down 0.3% for the week, which was shortened by the New Year holiday.

All 10 of the TSX main groups were lower Friday.

The index tumbled immediately after the opening bell following U.S. government data that showed weak job growth in December and rising unemployment.

The materials and energy sectors led the way down, shedding 1.3% and 1.2% respectively, hurt by weaker gold and oil prices as well as worries that slower global growth could dampen demand for resources.

Crude for February delivery closed down US$1.27, or 1.3%, at US$97.91 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while gold for February delivery ended down US$3.40 at US $865.70.

Suncor Energy was down $2.17, or 1.9%, at $109.67, while Centerra Gold was off 93¢, or 6.8%, to $12.73.

The heavy-weight financials sector fell 1.2%. CIBC was down $2.05, or 2.9%, at $68.00.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index slipped 26.94 points, or 0.93%, to 2,858.66.

The Canadian dollar moved down 1.05¢ to finish at US99.87¢.

In New York, stocks tumbled on Friday after a government report showing rising unemployment fuelled fears of a recession.

The U.S. Labor Department reported job creation nearly ground to a halt in December and unemployment rose to a two-year high of 5%.

Technology shares were the worst performer in a broad-based decline.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index was down 98.03 points, or 3.77%, at 2,504.65.

The blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average fell 256.54 points, or 1.96%, to 12,800.18. The broader S&P 500 dropped 35.53 points, or 2.46%, to 1,411.63.