The Canadian dollar added more strength on Thursday, as its United States counterpart slid back amid a selloff in treasury bonds.
Currencies
The loonie finished at US$0.7252 or US$1=C$1.3789 compared to Wednesday’s close of US$0.7213 or US$1=C$1.3863.
On the United States Dollar Index, the greenback retreated 0.592 of a point at 98.960.
Crude oil
Benchmark crude oil prices were higher on Thursday afternoon, but the increases turned softer during the session. Pressure came from hopes of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, while support was from heightened tensions in the Middle East.
West Texas Intermediate added 71 cents at US$91.72 per barrel, and Brent crude was up 17 cents at US$95.80.
Trade balance
Statistics Canada reported the country’s July merchandise trade surplus shrank to C$769 million from C$4.2 billion in June. Canada’s services trade balance switched to a C$300 million surplus from a C$200 million deficit during July.
Financial markets
The TSX Composite Index jumped 541.51 points on Thursday to close at 36,633.12.
In the U.S., the S&P 500 rose 81.11 points at 7,747.71; the DOW improved 623.98 points at 54,685.93 and the NASDAQ climbed 366.23 points at 26,584.06.
Gold advanced US$106.70 at US$4,521.30 per ounce.
