By MarketsFarm
WINNIPEG, March 6 (MarketsFarm) The Canadian dollar was slightly firmer Friday morning, as the currency markets reacted to the latest North American jobs data.
At 8:50 CST Friday morning the Canadian dollar was at US$0.7462 or C$1.3401 which compares with Thursday’s North American close of US$0.7454 or C$1.3415.
Canada added 30,300 jobs in February, according to the latest labour force survey from Statistics Canada. However, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 points to hit 5.6 per cent, as more people were looking for jobs.
Meanwhile, the United States added 273,000 jobs in February, according to a report from the U.S. Labor Department, beating expectations for a 175,000 jobs increase. The U.S. unemployment rate remains near its lowest level in 50 years, falling to 3.5 per cent, from 3.6 per cent the previous year.
The TSX was down by 325.93 points at 8:50 CST to trade at 16,228.06 points.
Crude oil was also lower, with West Texas Intermediate down US$1.70 at US$44.19 per barrel.
