By Commodity News Service Canada
Winnipeg, September 12 – The Canadian dollar was lower Friday morning, as international pressures pushed the loonie lower against its American counterpart.
The European Union slapped more sanctions on Russia for its involvement in the fighting in Ukraine. Investors are also anxious as a vote on Scottish Independence is just days away.
The US dollar is stronger as speculation persists that the US Federal Reserve is preparing to wind down its economic stimulus. Interest rates are expected to rise by the middle of next year.
US retail sales rose by 0.6 percent in August.
On the commodity markets, the October crude oil contract rose nine cents to US$92.92 a barrel. December copper was unchanged at US$3.09 a pound. December bullion dipped $2.50 to US$1,236.50 an ounce.
At 8:45 CDT Friday, the Canadian dollar was at US$0.9028 or US$=C$1.1077 which compares with Thursday’s North American close of US $0.9052, or US$=C$1.1047.
The TSX was down 16.87 points Friday morning at 8:45 CDT, to sit at 15,517.45.
