Retail Sales and Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada: The SaP/TSX composite index was 26.07 points lower at 14,335.76, according to The Star. Statistics Canada said retail sales were up 1.3 per cent, against the 0.7 per cent rise that had been expected and The Toronto stock market closed lower Friday at the end of a positive week where indications that the U.S. economy didnt take a major weather-related hit this winter helped ease the prospect of higher interest rates. The Canadian dollar was ahead 0.26 of a cent at 89.21 cents U.S. in the wake of a better than expected reading on retail sales for January and slowing price pressures. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.