By Commodity News Service Canada
WINNIPEG, March 13 (CNS Canada) – The Canadian dollar was slightly firmer on Monday, as currency traders square positions ahead of the US Federal Reserve interest rate announcement later in the week.
The Canadian dollar closed at US$0.7436 or US$1=C$1.3447, which compares with Friday’s close of US$0.7427, or US$1=C$1.3464.
The US Federal Reserve will release its latest policy decision on Wednesday, and the financial markets have largely priced in a rate hike already.
Crude oil was slightly softer on Monday, which put some pressure on the energy-linked Canadian dollar.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index was stronger on Monday, gaining 38.14 points, or 0.3%, to close at 15,544.82.
Canada’s agricultural sector faired as follows:
AGT Food and Ingredients—–up $ 0.35 at $ 32.74
Agrium Incorporated———-dn $ 0.73 at $130.44
Buhler Industries———— $ 0.00 at $ 4.55
Maple Leaf Foods————-up $ 0.13 at $ 31.38
Potash Corp. of Sask———dn $ 0.15 at $ 23.34
(All figures are in Canadian dollars.)
