Canadian Financial Close: C$ strengthens Friday

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Glacier FarmMedia MarketsFarm – The Canadian dollar was stronger on Friday, underpinned by gains in crude oil.

The Canadian dollar settled at US$0.7314 or US$1=C$1.3673 on Friday, which compares with Thursday’s close of US$0.7298 or US$1=C$1.3702.

Retail sales in Canada decreased by 0.2 per cent in March, coming in at C$66.4 billion, according to a report from Statistics Canada. Core retail sales, which exclude fuel vendors and motor vehicle sales, were down by 0.6 per cent from the previous month. Preliminary data for April suggest sales were up by 0.7 per cent during the month.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up by 1.20 per cent at US$77.79 per barrel.

The TSX Composite Index gained 120.08 points to close at 22,320.87 points.

Canada’s agricultural sector performed as follows:

Buhler Ind.———————-    $ 0.00    at $  2.17

Linamar Corp.——————–up  $ 0.15    at $ 69.25

Maple Leaf Foods—————–    $ 0.00    at $ 23.29

Nutrien Ltd.———————dn  $ 0.87    at $ 80.44

RB Global Inc.——————-up  $ 1.23    at $104.08

Farmers Edge Inc.—————-    $ 0.00    at $  0.345

(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)