(Adds details on Federal Reserve, updates prices)
* Canadian dollar weakens 0.6% against the greenback
* Inflation in Canada rises to 3.4% in April
* Price of U.S. oil settles 3.3% lower
* Canadian bond yields rise across a steeper curve
By Fergal Smith
TORONTO, May 19 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened
against its U.S. counterpart on Wednesday as commodity prices
fell sharply, while domestic data showed inflation climbing in
April at the fastest pace in a decade but at a rate less than in
the United States.
The loonie was trading 0.6% lower at 1.2135 to the
greenback, or 82.41 U.S. cents, its biggest decline since April
20. On Tuesday, it touched its strongest level since May 2015 at
1.2013.
Inflation in Canada rose to 3.4% in April from 2.2% in
March, due mostly to the statistical comparison with last year
when prices sank during pandemic shutdowns, data showed.
It was the highest annual increase since May 2011.
"The numbers are within expectations, a little bit stronger,
not like a big blowout we saw in the U.S.," said Darcy Briggs, a
portfolio manager at Franklin Templeton Canada. "I don't expect
much in the way of reaction from the Bank of Canada."
Data last week showed U.S. CPI shot up 4.2% in the 12 months
through April.
Wall Street and commodity prices have been on a tear in
recent months but were pressured on Wednesday by fears that
rising inflation could force the U.S. Federal Reserve to pare
back its support soon. ]
A "number" of Fed officials appeared ready to begin
considering changes to monetary policy based on continued rapid
progress in the economic recovery, minutes of the central bank's
April meeting showed.
Copper fell 3.5%, while oil , one of Canada's main
exports, settled 3.3% lower at $63.36 a barrel.
The Bank of Canada has expressed concern about the strong
dollar hurting exports, but soaring demand for commodities and a
looming rebound in consumer spending are seen limiting the
impact, economists said.
Canadian bond yields rose across a steeper curve, tracking
the move in U.S. Treasuries. The 10-year was up 2.6
basis points at 1.590%.
(Reporting by Fergal Smith; Editing by Barbara Lewis and Peter
Cooney)
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