Canadian Financial Close: Loonie ends week with small gain

The Canadian dollar had an uptick going into the weekend.

The loonie closed at US$0.7282 or US$1=C$1.3732 on Friday, compared to US$0.7276 or US$1=C$1.3743 on Thursday. Statistics Canada reported earlier today the country lost 2,800 jobs in July, but the unemployment rate stayed the same at 6.4 per cent.

Meanwhile, the United States Dollar Index was down 0.08 of a point at 103.13.

Crude oil prices continued to rise amidst tensions in the Middle East. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was higher by US$0.83 at US$77.02 per barrel. Brent crude oil gained US$0.59 at US$79.75/barrel.

The TSX Composite Index jumped 85.69 points to close the week at 21,331.30.

Gold increased US$6.70 at US$2,470.00 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.                    dn  $ 0.66     at $ 62.64

Maple Leaf Foods                 dn  $ 0.26     at $ 22.79

Nutrien Ltd.                     dn  $ 0.07     at $ 63.16

RB Global Inc.                   up  $ 0.90     at $108.37

(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)