CANADA FX DEBT-C$ slips lower amid euro volatility

* C$ softens to C$0.9601, or $1.0416

* Bonds firmly higher across curve

* European debt, non-domestic factors in focus (Updates with details, adds comments)

By Solarina Ho

TORONTO, April 15 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened marginally against the U.S. dollar on Friday, but remained within a narrow range as the spotlight was directed on sovereign debt fears in Europe.

Euro-zone debt concerns warred with expectations of a rate hike by a hawkish European Central Bank, with volatility in the euro heightened on Friday by a ratings downgrade on Ireland to just above "junk" status. [FRX/] [ID:nLDE73E0DU]

"It's more of a story of what's going on outside of Canada," said Shaun Osborne, chief currency strategist at TD Securities, noting that the underlying trend was still toward a higher Canadian dollar, even if it was not significantly higher than current levels.

"It's a bit of a range trade. There's probably a short-term bias for a bit of a correction in the rundown for USD/CAD in the last month or so. It probably means no more than a bounce to C$0.9700 or C$0.9750."

The currency finished the week at C$0.9601 to the U.S. dollar, or $1.0416, down slightly from Thursday's North American finish of C$0.9598 to the U.S. dollar, or $1.0419. That followed a low of C$0.9650, or $1.0363 touched earlier in the session.

"I don't think foreign investors are really overly concerned to be honest," said David Bradley, director of foreign exchange trading at Scotia Capital.

"It feels as though with USD/CAD, anytime we test above C$0.9650 it seems there's plenty of selling interest. I think there's still a lot of sovereign interest to buy Canadian dollars out there as well."

The commodity-linked Canadian dollar was still finding support as oil prices surged on improved U.S. consumer confidence and easing concerns over rising fuel costs. [O/R]

With next week's domestic inflation data not expected to be a major driver for the currency -- the core inflation outlook remains low -- analysts expect the Canadian dollar to react to big U.S. dollar trends and a risk appetite that could be influenced by outside factors including the European debt crisis, equity markets and commodity prices.

BONDS FIRMER

Canadian government bond prices were firmly higher across the curve, shadowing movement in U.S. Treasury prices. Investors were increasingly bullish on the near term outlook, helped by still-benign inflation on both sides of the border. [US/]

The two-year bond climbed 14 Canadian cents to yield 1.746 percent, while the 10-year bond gained 39 Canadian cents to yield 3.308 percent. (Reporting by Solarina Ho; editing by Rob Wilson)