Canadian Financial Close: C$ strengthens in pre-holiday trade

By Phil Franz-Warkentin

Glacier FarmMedia MarketsFarm –  The Canadian dollar was stronger on Friday in thin pre-holiday trade, with broad weakness in the United States dollar internationally behind some of the relative strength.

The Canadian dollar settled at US$0.7543 or US$1=C$1.3258 on Friday, which compares with Thursday’s close of US$0.7513 or US$1=C$1.3311.

Canada’s real gross domestic product (GDP) was unchanged for the third consecutive month in October, according to a report from Statistics Canada. Early estimates for November point to a small 0.1 per cent increase in the GDP.

Most Canadian markets and government offices will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 for Christmas and Boxing Day.

Crude oil posted small losses, with West Texas Intermediate crude oil down by 0.42 per cent at US$73.58 per barrel.

The TSX Composite Index was stronger, gaining 115.46 points to close at 20,881.19 points.

Canada’s agricultural sector performed as follows:

Buhler Ind.———————-    $ 0.00    at $  2.39

Linamar Corp.——————–dn  $ 0.72    at $ 64.72

Maple Leaf Foods—————–up  $ 0.10    at $ 25.06

Nutrien Ltd.———————up  $ 0.39    at $ 75.69

RB Global Inc.——————-dn  $ 0.08    at $ 87.44

Farmers Edge Inc.—————-    $ 0.00    at $  0.24

(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)