By Glen Hallick
Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar gave up more ground on Friday morning, in its ongoing downward slide.
As of 8:40 am CST, the loonie was at US$0.7206 or US$1=C$1.3878, compared to Thursday’s close of US$0.7212 or US$1=C$1.3866
On the United States Dollar Index, the greenback bumped up 0.152 of a point at 98.845.
Benchmark crude oil prices were stronger on Friday morning, as the market accounted for possible production issues in Iran and uncertainty about supplies out of Venezuela.
West Texas Intermediate added US$1.06 at US$58.82 per barrel and Brent crude rose US$1.04at US$63.03.
Statistics Canada reported that unemployment in December grew to an annualized rate of 6.8 per cent, up from 6.5 per cent in November.
In morning activity, the TSX/S&P Composite Index advanced 222.99 points at 32,601.63.
Gold climbed US$41.50 at US$4,502.20 per ounce.
