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CANADA FX DEBT-C$ ends lower for third straight session

Published 08/10/2009, 04:28 PM
Updated 08/10/2009, 04:30 PM
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* C$ hits lowest level since July 29

* Impact of Friday's weak jobs data lingers

* Bond prices higher across curve (Recasts to close)

By Frank Pingue

TORONTO, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Canada's currency closed lower versus the greenback on Monday as investors continued to trade on last week's disappointing Canadian jobs report due to the lack of any fresh data to influence direction.

The selloff began early in the session and eventually knocked the currency to C$1.0929 to the U.S. dollar, or 91.50 U.S. cents, its lowest level in nearly two weeks. The Canadian dollar moved off the session low but was unable to snap a skid that has now seen it close lower in three straight sessions.

"It's a continuation of a trend, this is the third straight day that we have seen softening so there is at least a modest technical trend in place," said Eric Lascelles, chief economics and rates strategist at TD Securities.

"And when I look at stock markets I see that equities are down a little and that may have prompted a modest safe haven bid that's leaving the Canadian dollar out in the cold."

The Canadian dollar closed at C$1.0887 to the U.S. dollar, or 91.85 U.S. cents, down from C$1.0823 to the U.S. dollar, or 92.40 U.S. cents, at Friday's close.

The slide comes on the heels of a report on Friday that showed the Canadian economy shed 44,500 jobs in July, more than double the market forecast. [ID:nN07253705]

George Davis, chief technical strategist at RBC Capital Markets, said the Canadian dollar's performance could hinge on the actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve, which ends a two-day policy meeting on Wednesday. The central bank is expected to keep its fed funds rate at 0-0.25 percent. [ID:nN07416548]

The Canadian currency's fall built on a 0.4 percent slide last week, a move driven by the jobs report and comments from Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who warned that steps could be taken to slow the ascent of the Canadian dollar if it became overly strong.

BOND PRICES HIGHER

Canadian bond prices all ended higher and reclaimed losses suffered during Friday's session as investors exited North American equities and moved back into more secure government debt.

In Toronto, the S&P/TSX composite index <.GSPTSE> fell 91.66 points to 10,793.67, while in New York the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> ended down 32.12 points at 9,337.95.

The rise in bond prices comes ahead of a slew of economic markers this week, including the U.S. Federal Reserve's statement on interest rates and the state of the economy, as well as U.S. government figures for monthly retail sales.

In Canada, July housing starts data will be released on Tuesday, followed by Wednesday's release of June merchandise trade figures, and Friday's June manufacturing sales data.

Dealers will also keep watch on this week's U.S. Treasury auctions of $75 billion in three- and 10-year notes, along with 30-year bonds. The total of the auctions is a record size for a quarterly refunding.

The two-year Canadian bond ended up 13 Canadian cents at C$99.17 to yield 1.411 percent, while the 10-year bond rose 50 Canadian cents to C$101.60 to yield 3.555 percent.

The 30-year bond gained 75 5 Canadian cents to C$116.05 to yield 4.034 percent. In the United States, the 30-year bond yielded 4.522 percent.

Canadian bonds underperformed their U.S. counterparts across most of the curve. The Canadian 30-year bond was about 48.8 basis points below the U.S. 30-year yield, versus about 53.4 basis points below on Friday. (Editing by Peter Galloway)

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