By Commodity News Service Canada
WINNIPEG, Feb. 14 (CNS Canada) The Canadian dollar was weaker Thursday morning, as disappointing domestic economic data weighed on the currency.
At 8:51 CST Thursday morning the Canadian dollar was at US$0.7505 or C$1.3324 which compares with Wednesday’s North American close of US$0.7553 or C$1.3240.
Canadian manufacturing sales declined for the third straight month; dropping 1.3 per cent in December, to C$56.4 billion, according to a report from Statistics Canada. The petroleum and coal sector posted the largest declines, falling 10.4 per cent on the month.
In the United States, retail sales were down by 1.2 per cent in January while unemployment claims increased by more than expected.
Crude oil was firmer in early activity, providing some support for the energy-linked currency.
The TSX was higher in early activity, up 29.54 points at 8:51 CST to sit at 15,656.27.
