Canadian dollar lags G10 currencies as oil prices and stocks slide

The Canadian dollar weakened against its U.S. counterpart on Wednesday to lag many other “G10” currencies, as oil prices fell and a 13-month high for the greenback pressured emerging markets and global stocks.

The price of oil, one of Canada’s major exports, was pressured by a weakening global economic growth outlook and data showing rising U.S. crude inventories.

U.S. crude oil futures settled 3 percent lower at $65.01 a barrel.

Oil was an “obvious catalyst” for the weaker Canadian dollar said Mark McCormick, North American head of FX strategy at TD Securities.

The currency has also become more sensitive over the past month to movement in stock prices, McCormick said.

U.S. stocks sold off on concerns over a strengthening U.S. dollar, Turkey’s currency crisis and global trade tensions.

Canada exports many commodities and runs a current account deficit, so its economy could be hurt if the flow of trade or capital slows.

At 3:48 p.m. EDT, the Canadian dollar was trading 0.7 percent lower at $1.3134 to the greenback, or 76.14 U.S. cents.

Among a group of developed market currencies known as the “G10” currencies, only the Swedish crown fell by as much as the loonie. It also fell 0.7 percent.

The Canadian dollar, which touched a near three-week low of $1.3179 on Monday, traded in a range of $1.3051 to $1.3175.

Resales of Canadian homes rose 1.9 per cent in July from June, notching the third straight monthly rise but remaining below the highs seen in recent years, the Canadian Real Estate Association said.

Canada’s manufacturing sales data for June is due on Thursday and the July inflation report on Friday.

Canadian government bond prices were higher across a flatter yield curve in sympathy with U.S. Treasuries as government bonds benefited from safe-haven demand.

The 10-year rose 44 cents to yield 2.269 per cent. Its yield touched its lowest since July 25 at 2.260 per cent.