TORONTO: Canada's dollar was little changed against its US counterpart on Monday, but hit a record high versus the euro amid mixed North American economic data and as investors awaited comments from the Bank of Canada.
Against the greenback, the Canada's currency fell as low as C$1.0174, or 98.29 US cents, after data showed US retail sales fell for a third straight month in June.
But against the euro, the Canadian dollar hit another consecutive record high, adding to its string of recent gains. It advanced to C$1.2358, or 80.92 euro cents, its strongest level against the common currency since it was created in January 1999.
Data showed foreigners snapped up Canadian securities in record numbers in May, reflecting Canada's growing role as a safe haven during global economic turmoil.
Canada, which boasts stronger fiscal and economic fundamentals than most developed Western economies, said non-residents bought C$26.11 billion of stocks, bonds and money market paper in May, well above the previous C$22.88 billion record from May 2010.
"There are a number of concerns. The global growth backdrop, the US growth backdrop and that I think is weighing on financial markets and keeping the Canadian dollar contained," said David Watt, chief economist at HSBC Bank Canada.
The Canadian dollar ended at C$1.0147 against the US dollar, or 98.55 US cents, little changed from Friday's North American session close at C$1.0146 versus the greenback, or 98.56 US cents.
"Dollar/Canada has just been caught between general dollar moves and cross-related support for the currency," said Matt Perrier, director of foreign exchange sales at BMO Capital Markets.
Perrier put immediate US dollar resistance around C$1.0175-C$1.02. For the euro, he noted a healthy retracement back to C$1.026-C$1.027.
Going forward, all eyes will be on the accompanying statement by the Bank of Canada on Tuesday. Analysts unanimously expect the Bank of Canada to hold its main policy rate at 1 percent on July 17, but the real focus will be on whether it will repeat, dilute or omit the message that it may soon need to raise the rate.
10-YEAR BOND YIELD AT RECORD LOW
AAA-rated Canada emerged from the global financial crisis in better shape than most other developed nations, a draw to investors worried about economic problems in Europe and the patchy US recovery.
The Canadian data showed foreigners bought C$16.67 billion of Canadian bonds in May, the most since May 2009. Of that, C$9.47 billion were federal government bonds mainly purchased on the secondary market.
Canadian bond prices picked up across the curve on Monday, adding to gains alongside Treasuries after the US retail sales drop.
The 10-year bond yield touched a record low at 1.596 percent. The two-year government bond yielded around 0.960 percent.
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