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Canadian Dollar Weakens After Dismal Jobs Data

By RTTNews Staff Writer   ✉  | Published:  | Google News Follow Us  | Join Us
rttnewslogo20mar2024

Friday, the Canadian dollar fell against its key counterparts after a report showed that the nation added fewer jobs and unemployment rate rose unexpectedly for January.

Latest report from Statistics Canada showed that employment rose by 2,300 in January from December. Economists had forecast a much bigger employment growth of 22,000.

The unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage points to 7.6 percent, while economists had expected it to remain unchanged.

The loonie that closed Thursday's deals at 0.9995 against the greenback and 1.3139 against the euro touched a 2-day low of 1.0026 and a 3-day low of 1.3194, respectively. On the downside, the loonie may target 1.01 against the greenback and 1.325 against the euro.

Germany's private sector output expanded in January at the fastest pace since June 2011, but the increase was slightly weaker than the flash estimate, final data from Markit Economics showed today.

The final Composite Output Index, which measures the combined output of the manufacturing and service sectors, rose to 53.9 in January from 51.3 in December.

At the same time, the services Purchasing Managers' Index came in at 53.7, up from 52.4 in December, but smaller than the flash estimate of 54.5.

A separate final data revealed that the Eurozone private economy stabilized in January as initially estimated.

The final Markit Composite Output Index came in at 50.4 in January, up from 48.3 in December. The Purchasing Managers' Index for the service sector posted 50.4, down from the earlier flash estimate of 50.5. But it stayed above December's 48.8.

However, Eurozone retail sales fell 0.4 percent in December from the prior month, Eurostat reported today. Economists were expecting turnover to expand 0.3 percent. The decline for November was revised to 0.4 percent from 0.8 percent.

The loonie dropped to 76.10 against the yen and 1.0726 against the aussie with 76.00 and 1.08, respectively seen as the next downside target levels. At yesterday's close, the loonie was 76.30 against the yen and 1.0709 against the aussie.

After stepping his warning on excessive yen gains yesterday, Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi said today that the government is ready to take "decisive" steps if necessary.

He also said that the recent currency moves appeared "one-sided." Tokyo will closely monitor the currency market moves and act appropriately, reports quoted him as saying.

The U.S. jobs data for January, factory orders for December and the ISM non-manufacturing index for January are due shortly.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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