WINNIPEG – As the TSX climbed new peaks on Friday, the Canadian dollar closed above a level not seen in more than three years.
The loonie was at US$0.8226 or US$1=C$1.2156 on Friday, up from Thursday’s close at US$0.8197 or US$1=C$1.2200, due to rising commodity prices and a weakened U.S. dollar. Yet, Canada lost more than 207,000 jobs in March, according to Statistics Canada. Meanwhile, the United States Dollar Index plunged by 0.74 at 90.21 points.
Benchmark crude oil prices were mixed on Friday. Brent crude oil increased by US$0.15 per barrel to US$68.24. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil went up by US$0.18 to US$64.89/barrel. Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude oil declined by US$0.37 to US$51.33/barrel.
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The TSX Composite Index closed at its highest end-of-day level on Friday, surging by 181.77 points to 19,472.74. On Thursday, the Dow Jones also closed at a record high.
Gold continued its recent sharp ascent, gaining US$15.61 to US$1,830.83 per ounce.
Canada’s agricultural sector fared as follows:
Buhler Industries up $ 0.09 at $ 3.75
Farmer’s Edge Inc. dn $ 0.16 at $ 16.52
Linamar Corp. up $ 3.30 at $ 79.38
Maple Leaf Foods dn $ 0.18 at $ 26.50
Nutrien Ltd. up $ 2.10 at $ 74.54
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc. up $ 1.09 at $ 81.42
(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)
