India, March 22 -- Weak data on inflation and retail sales spooked Canadian shares Friday morning, and reeling under the impact, the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index slipped deeper into the red after a gap down opening.

At 16,095.82, the index is down 148.77 points, or 0.92% from previous close.

On Thursday, the index ended up 77.03 points, or 0.48%, at 16,244.59.

Worries about global growth have increased after data showed eurozone private sector growth slowed in March, and private sector growth in France and Germany slowed to their lowest levels in 2 months and six years, respectively.

Energy stocks are declining sharply on falling crude oil prices. Healthcare, information technology, financial and materials shares are also mostly do...