WINNIPEG – The Canadian dollar started the week above the 80 United States cent mark on Monday.
As of 8:36 a.m. CDT, the loonie was at US$0.8011 or US$1=C$1.2483, compared to Friday’s closing value of US$0.7992 or US$1=C$1.2512. The U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.29 of a point at 98.93.
Benchmark crude oil prices were rising early Monday as the European Union considers new sanctions against Russia for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Brent crude oil advanced US$2.93 per barrel to US$107.32. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained US$3.36 to US$102.63/barrel. Western Canadian Select (WCS) jumped US$2.24 to US$90.30/barrel.
The TSX/S&P Composite Index rose 30.50 points to 21,983.45.
Gold increased US$10.30 per ounce to US$1,934.00.
