By Commodity News Service Canada
WINNIPEG, May 6 (CNS Canada) – The Canadian dollar was weaker on Friday, pressured by soft US and Canadian jobs data.
Canada’s economy lost 2,100 jobs in April, keeping the country’s unemployment rate steady at 7.1%. In the US, nonfarm payrolls rose by 160,000 in April, which was the smallest monthly gain in six months.
Concerns over the wildfires in Alberta and possible disruptions to the Canadian economy were also overhanging the currency market on Friday.
The Canadian dollar closed at US$0.7741 or US$1=C$1.2919, which compares with Thursday’s close of US$0.7771, or US$1=C$1.2868.
The TSX ended higher, with the mining and energy sectors posting the largest gains. The S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 69.46 points, or 0.51%, to close at 13,701.47.
Canada’s agricultural sector faired as follows:
AGT Food and Ingredients—–up $ 0.02 at $ 40.06
Agrium Incorporated———-up $ 1.06 at $108.93
Buhler Industries————– $ 0.00 at $ 4.86
Maple Leaf Foods————-up $ 0.63 at $ 29.23
Potash Corp. of Sask———dn $ 0.07 at $ 20.53
(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)
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