WINNIPEG, MB, Nov 03, 2009 (Resource News International via COMTEX News Network) --

The Canadian dollar finished Tuesday's North American trading session on a firmer footing versus the US dollar. Much of the appreciation seen in the Canadian currency was lin ked to the rally posted by global crude oil and gold values, market watchers said.

The Canadian currency late in the afternoon was quoted at C$1.0688 (93.56 US cents). This compares with Monday's late North American quote of $1.0797 (92.61 US cents).

Helping to strengthen the Canadian dollar was technically based buying, brokers said.

This week's major data points will be the US October non-farm payrolls report together with Canadian employment figures for the same month, both due for release on Friday.

Canadian bonds finished the session higher along the yield curve on Tuesday. Canadian bonds outperformed their US counterparts, market watchers said.

Activity in the North American bond markets was cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy statement on Wednesday.

Some analysts believe that the US central bank could drop the reference to interest rates remaining at rock-bottom levels for an "extended period" from its policy statement, although that view is far from unanimous.

There were no significant data released in Canada Tuesday. No major releases are scheduled until Thursday, when building permits for September and the Ivey Purchasing Managers Index for August will be released. Jobs data for October will be reported Friday.

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