WINNIPEG – The Canadian dollar returned to the lower side of 80 United States cents on Friday.
As of 8:42 a.m. CST, the loonie was at US$0.7990 or US$1=C$1.2516 on Friday, compared to US$0.8010 or US$1=C$1.2484 on Thursday.
The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.16 points at 94.95. The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Friday retail sales declined 1.9 per cent in December, the biggest decrease in 10 months.
Benchmark crude oil prices made gains on Friday. Brent crude oil added US$0.69 per barrel at US$85.16. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased US$0.64 to US$82.76/barrel. Western Canadian Select (WCS) advanced US$0.52 to US$68.27/barrel.
The TSX/S&P Composite Index dipped 11.50 points to 21,281.46.
Gold added US$1.60 per ounce to US$1,823.00.
