TSX Tumbles 200 Points As Brexit Fears Spook Markets -- Canadian Commentary

(RTTNews) - Canadian stocks fell sharply Friday, with a recent rally coming to screeching halt in the past few sessions.

Markets worldwide are concerned about the impact of a possible exit of the UK from the European Union.

An Independent newspaper survey found 55 percent in favor of a so-called Brexit, with 45 percent wanting to stay.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index was down 202 points, or 1.42%, to 14,037.54, falling further from a recent 10-month peak.

The U.S. dollar strengthened during a flight to safety, putting significant pressure on oil prices.

July WTI oil settled at $49.07/bbl on Nymex, down $1.49, or 3%.

Still, oil finished the week with a 0.9% gain, at one point touching the highest since last summer.

Energy stocks were hammered the past few sessions, losing another 3.8%.

Base metals miners plunged 3.3%, while banks fell 1.1%.

Gaugues of all but one sector were in the red.