BLBG: Canada’s Dollar Weakens With Oil, Stock on Automaker Concern
Canada’s currency weakened as crude oil and U.S. stock futures declined, signaling decreased appetite for risk, amid growing speculation General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC may have to file for bankruptcy.
The Canadian dollar, called the loonie, fell against all 16 of the most actively traded currencies tracked by Bloomberg. President Barack Obama believes a quick, negotiated bankruptcy is the most likely way for GM to restructure and is also prepared to let Chrysler fail, people familiar with the situation said. The automakers’ failure could worsen slumps in manufacturing and employment.
“The uncertainty with the autos is one of the big reasons Canada’s underperforming today,” said Firas Askari, head currency trader in Toronto at BMO Nesbitt Burns, a unit of Bank of Montreal. “Crude’s also given up its gains.”
Canada’s currency depreciated 0.5 percent to C$1.2670 per U.S. dollar at 8:20 a.m. in Toronto, from C$1.2602 yesterday. One Canadian dollar buys 78.93 cents.
Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slid 1.3 percent, and crude oil futures for May delivery dropped 2.9 percent to $48.20 a barrel before a report today that’s expected to show U.S. inventories rose. Oil accounts for about a tenth of Canada’s export revenue.