Canadian Financial Close: Loonie, crude oil continue to rise

WINNIPEG– The Canadian dollar moved closer to the 74 United States cent mark on Thursday.

The loonie closed at US$0.7389 or US$1=C$1.3533, up from US$0.7366 or US$1=C$1.3576 on Wednesday.

The United States Dollar Index declined 0.48 of a point at 102.16.

Crude oil rose as exports from Kurdistan remain halted and financial fears receded. Brent crude oil added US$0.94 per barrel to US$79.22. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) jumped US$1.37 at US$74.34/barrel.

The TSX/S&P Composite Index gained 103.34 points to close at 19,940.99.

Gold surged US$14.80 at US$1,999.30 per ounce.

Canada’s agricultural sector fared as follows:

Buhler Ind.                      unchanged      at $  2.20

Farmer’s Edge Inc.               dn  $ 0.005    at $  0.185

Linamar Corp.                    up  $ 0.74     at $ 63.14

Maple Leaf Foods                 up  $ 0.43     at $ 25.91

Nutrien Ltd.                     dn  $ 0.29     at $ 98.30

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc.    dn  $ 0.29     at $ 74.92

(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)