By Commodity News Service Canada
WINNIPEG, September 13 – The Canadian dollar eased against its US counterpart on Friday, undermined by spillover pressure from the losses seen in gold prices, analysts said.
The Canadian currency was quoted at US$0.9685, or US$1=C$1.0325 at the close on Friday, which compares with Thursday’s North American close of US$0.9665, or US$=C$1.0347.
Weak Canadian economic data was also bearish. Statistics Canada reported that the ratio of household debt to income increased to 163.4 percent in the second quarter of 2013, from 162.1 percent in the first quarter.
However, disappointing US retail sales data limited the downside. US retail sales were up 0.2% in August, falling below expectations of a 0.5% increase.
Canadian bonds were higher on Friday, following the US Treasury market following the release of worse-than-expected US retail sales data.
The two-year bond yielded 1.283% late Friday, from 1.287% late Thursday. The 10-year bond yielded 2.771%, from 2.784%. Bond yields fall as their prices rise.
