Canadian Financial Close: Loonie crosses threshold, crude oil higher

Glacier FarmMedia MarketsFarm – After days of small gains, the Canadian dollar reached the 73 United States cent mark on Thursday, despite strength in its United States counterpart.

The loonie closed at US$0.7300 or US$1=C$1.3698, compared to US$0.7294 or US$1=C$1.3709 on Wednesday.

The United States Dollar Index jumped 0.33 of a point at 105.58.

Crude oil prices moved upward on Thursday after a larger than expected draw in U.S. stockpiles. Brent crude oil rose US$0.70 at US$85.77 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced US$0.60 at US$82.17/barrel.

The TSX/S&P Composite Index gained 64.45 points at 21,581.35.

Gold surged US$25.70 at US$2,372.60 per ounce.

Canada’s agricultural sector fared as follows:

Buhler Ind.                      unchanged      at $  2.05

Farmer’s Edge Inc.               unchanged      at $  0.345

Linamar Corp.                    up  $ 0.07     at $ 66.10

Maple Leaf Foods                 up  $ 0.32     at $ 22.53

Nutrien Ltd.                     up  $ 1.33     at $ 71.05

RB Global Inc.                   dn  $ 3.18     at $106.92

(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)