Loonie edges down after retail sales data

Canadian dollar declined against most major rivals following a batch of weak data.

Earlier government data showed Canadian retail sales fell 1.4% last month, while analysts expected a drop of 1.3%.

Core retail sales fell 0.3% last month, while analysts expected a drop of 0.8%. 

On trading, CAD/USD fell 0.1% to 0.7399 as of 20:36 GMT. 

Aussie 

Australian dollar rose 0.4% against US counterpart to 0.6645. 

US Dollar

The dollar index fell 0.3% as of 20:17 GMT to 103.2, with a session-high at 103.6, and a low at 103.00.

Such losses come amid cautious optimism as the US debt ceiling talks progress smoothly. 

US President Joe Biden and top Republican in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, asserted their commitment to reach a deal soon to raise the government debt level from $31.4 trillion.

Kevin McCarthy said the talks will continue into the weekend, with a potential vote on the deal next week.