By Commodity News Service Canada
WINNIPEG, February 5 – The following is a glance at the news moving markets globally.
US JOBS GAINS SLOW, BUT UNEMPLOYMENT AT 8-YEAR-LOW
Employment gains in the US slowed in January, according to the country’s labour department, as non-farm payrolls increased by 151,000 jobs.
The country’s unemployment rate was at an eight-year-low of 4.9 per cent in January.
CANADA’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STAYS MOSTLY UNCHANGED
Employment was virtually unchanged in January at a reduction of 5,700 or zero per cent, and the unemployment rate edged up to 7.2 per cent.
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In the 12 months to January, employment increased by 0.7 per cent, and unemployment rate rose from 6.6 per cent to 7.2 per cent, as the labour force grew at a faster pace than employment.
CANADA’S MERCHANDISE TRADE NARROWS
Canada’s exports increased 3.9 per cent in December and imports were up 1.6 per cent. Export volumes increased 2.1 per cent and prices 1.8 per cent. For imports, volumes were up 1.5 per cent and prices 0.1 per cent.
Consequently, Canada’s merchandise trade deficit with the world narrowed from C$1.6 billion in November to $585 million in December.
