The loonie was at US$0.7190 or US$1=C$1.3908 as of 8:44 a.m. CDT, compared to Thursday’s close at US$0.7185 or US$1=C$1.3918. The United States Dollar Index was down 0.17 of a point at 99.86.

     Crude oil prices were slightly higher after the U.S. and Iran rejected a ceasefire proposal brokered by Pakistan to end the war over the weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “rain hell” on Iran if a deal is not reached by Tuesday.

     West Texas Intermediate advanced US$0.71 at US$112.25 per barrel. Brent crude oil added US$0.22 at US$109.25/barrel.

     The TSX/S&P Composite Index gained 19.78 points at 33,128.00.

     Gold was up US$17.70 per ounce at US$4,697.40.

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar closed lower on Thursday, pulled down by a stronger United States dollar.

The loonie finished at US$0.7185 or US$1=C$1.3918 compared to Wednesday’s close of US$0.7200 or US$1=C$1.3888. On the U.S. Dollar Index, the greenback was up 0.392 of a point at 99.850.

Benchmark crude oil prices were stronger on Thursday afternoon, as the trade was concerned with the Middle East war continuing with more U.S. attacks on Iran.

West Texas Intermediate jumped US$11.67 at US$111.79 per barrel, and Brent crude advanced US$7.59 at US$108.75.

Statistics Canada reported on Thursday that the country’s merchandise trade deficit expanded to C$5.7 billion in February. Also, Canada’s surplus of service imports and exports improved to C$400 million that month.

The TSX Composite Index added 150.27 points on Thursday, finishing at 33,1087.22.

Gold dropped 113.50 at US$4,699.60 per ounce.

The markets in Canada and the U.S. will be closed tomorrow for Good Friday.

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar stepped back Thursday morning, after a positive close on Wednesday. The loonie was pulled lower by an increase in the United States dollar, while hikes in crude oil tempered the downside.

As of 8:37 am CDT, the Canadian dollar was at US$0.7186 or US$1=C$1.3919 compared to Wednesday’s close of US$0.7200 or US$1=C$1.3888. On the U.S. Dollar Index, the greenback advanced 0.502 of a point at 99.960.

Benchmark crude oil prices surged on Thursday morning, after United States President Donald Trump, during a televised address, didn’t indicate when the Middle East war could end.

West Texas Intermediate jumped US$12.88 at US$113.00 per barrel and Brent crude gained US$8.12 at US$109.28.

In Thursday morning activity, the TSX/S&P Composite Index fell 338.19 points at 32,619.76. Gold dropped US$191.90 at US$4,622.20 per ounce.

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar gained slightly more than a quarter of a cent on Wednesday, as it stemmed a series of declines.

The loonie finished at US$0.7200 or US$1=C$1.3888 compared to Tuesday’s close of US$0.7174 or US$1=C$1.3939. On the U.S. Dollar Index, the greenback was down 0.359 of a point at 99.400.

Benchmark crude oil prices fell back on Wednesday afternoon, as the U.S. and Iran indicated there soon could be an end to the Middle East war.

West Texas Intermediate lost US$2.07 at US$99.31 per barrel, and Brent crude dropped US$3.38 at US$100.59.

The TSX Composite Index rose 189.91 points on Wednesday, finishing at 32,957.95.

Gold advanced US$108.40 at US$4,787.00 per ounce.

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar climbed higher on Tuesday morning, in hopes of reversing its downturn.

As of 8:34 am CDT, the Canadian dollar was at US$0.7202 or US$1=C$1.3882 compared to Tuesday’s close of US$0.7174 or US$1=C$1.3939. On the U.S. Dollar Index, the greenback dropped 0.539 of a point at 99.220.

Benchmark crude oil prices was lower on Wednesday morning, as comments from the presidents of the U.S. and Iran suggested an end to the Middle East war could be coming soon.

West Texas Intermediate gave up 68 cents at US$100.70 per barrel and Brent crude lost US$1.80 at US$102.17.

In Wednesday morning activity, the TSX/S&P Composite Index advanced 215.48 points at 32,983.52.

Gold rose US$85.90 at US$4,764.50 per ounce.

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar eased back on Tuesday, as a weaker United States dollar edged out gains in crude oil.

The Canadian dollar finished at US$0.7174 or US$1=C$1.3939 compared to Monday’s close of US$0.7181 or US$1=C$1.3926. On the U.S. Dollar Index, the greenback fell 0.703 of a point at 99.650.

Benchmark crude oil prices were lower on Tuesday afternoon, as U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed their willingness to bring the Middle East war to an end.

West Texas Intermediate gave up $1.14 at US$101.74 per barrel, and Brent crude lost US$3.54 at US$103.85.

Statistics Canada reported today the country’s GDP inched up 0.1 per cent in January. While oil and gas extraction led gains with a 1.6 increase, the manufacturing sector decreased the most with a 1.4 per cent contraction.

With the war news, the TSX Composite Index vaulted 833.10 points on Tuesday, finishing at 32,768.04. The S&P 500, Dow Jones and NASDAQ were sharply higher as well.

Gold jumped by US$145.60 at US$4,703.10 per ounce.

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar was relatively steady on Tuesday morning, with the United States dollar down while crude oil was mixed.

As of 8:37 am CDT, the Canadian dollar was at US$0.7177 or US$1=C$1.3933 compared to Monday’s close of US$0.7181 or US$1=C$1.3926. On the U.S. Dollar Index, the greenback was down 0.433 of a point at 99.025.

Benchmark crude oil prices were either side of steady on Tuesday morning, although a tanker was hit by an Iranian drone off the coast of Dubai.

West Texas Intermediate added 25 cents at US$103.13 per barrel and Brent crude dipped six cents at US$107.33.

Statistics Canada reported the country’s gross domestic product nudged up 0.1 per cent in January and projected 0.2 per cent growth for February.

In Tuesday morning activity, the TSX/S&P Composite Index jumped 420.84 points at 32,355.78. Gold advanced US$48.10 at US$4,605.60 per ounce.

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar continued to fall back on Monday, in the face of a stronger United States dollar.

The Canadian dollar finished at US$0.7181 or US$1=C$1.3926 compared to Friday’s close of US$0.7207 or US$1=C$1.3875. On the U.S. Dollar Index, the greenback rose 0.363 of a point at 100.345.

Benchmark crude oil prices were higher on Monday afternoon, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iranian power and energy facilities, as well as invade the country’s Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

West Texas Intermediate jumped US$4.89 at US$104.53 per barrel, and Brent crude gained US$1.69 at US$114.26.

The TSX Composite Index dipped 25.71 points on Monday to finish at 32,541.93, after coming away from much larger declines earlier in the session.

Gold added US$11.10 at US$4,535.40 per ounce.

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Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian dollar was lower on Monday morning, as the United States dollar continued to gain strength and despite stronger crude oil prices.

As of 8:50 am CDT, the Canadian dollar was at US$0.7179 or US$1=C$1.3929 compared to Friday’s close of US$0.7207 or US$1=C$1.3875. On the U.S. Dollar Index, the greenback was up 0.258 of a point at 100.240.

Benchmark crude oil prices jumped on Monday morning, following U.S. President Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian energy and power infrastructure.

West Texas Intermediate climbed US$2.04 at US$101.68 per barrel and Brent crude advanced US$2.41 at US$114.98.

In Monday morning activity, the TSX/S&P Composite Index increased 212.08 points at 32,172.73.

Gold was up US$63.00 at US$4,587.30 per ounce.   

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     The loonie closed at US$0.7207 or US$1=C$1.3875, compared to US$0.7223 or C$1=C$1.3844 on Thursday. The United States Dollar Index gained 0.26 of a point at 100.16.

     Despite U.S. President Donald Trump extending his deadline for Iran to re-open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on energy infrastructure to April 7, crude oil prices rose on Friday. Iran also turned away two Chinese oil tankers from the strait earlier today.

     West Texas Intermediate gained US$5.53 per barrel at US$100.01. Brent crude oil jumped US$5.00/barrel at US$113.01.

     The TSX/S&P Composite Index added 73.13 points at 31,960.65. However, U.S. stock markets showed heavy losses with the S&P 500 losing 108.31 points at 6,368.85, the Dow Jones shedding 793.47 points at 45,166.64 and Nasdaq falling 459.72 points at 20,948.36.

     Gold added US$127.10 per ounce at US$4,503.40.

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