Canadian Financial Close: Loonie flat, U.S. inflation rises

WINNIPEG – The Canadian dollar was flat on Thursday as inflation once again grew in the United States.

The loonie was at US$0.7885 or US$1=C$1.2682 on Thursday, down from Wednesday’s close of US$0.7886 or US$1=C$1.2680.

The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.19 of a point to 95.68. The U.S. Labor Department reported on Thursday inflation in the country grew to 7.5 per cent in January, its highest level in 40 years.

Benchmark crude oil prices were mixed on Thursday. Brent crude oil dipped US$0.25 per barrel to US$91.30. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil bumped up US$0.37 to US$90.03/barrel. Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude oil increased US$0.23 at US$76.68/barrel.

The TSX/S&P Composite Index briefly eclipsed its all-time closing high at midday before ending the day with a loss of 72.47 points to 21,531.72.

Gold declined US$8.80 per ounce to US$1,827.80.

Canada’s agricultural sector fared as follows:

Buhler Ind. unchanged at $ 3.01
Farmer’s Edge Inc. up $ 0.19 at $ 2.89
Linamar Corp. dn $ 0.71 at $ 70.06
Maple Leaf Foods up $ 0.17 at $ 31.87
Nutrien Ltd. up $ 1.19 at $ 96.47
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc. dn $ 4.72 at $ 74.72

(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)