Statistics Canada said on Thursday Canada’s July trade surplus narrowed to CAD
769 mln, from a revised CAD 4.2 bln in June and below economists’ CAD 3.18 bln
forecast. Exports fell 2.3% while imports rose 2.2%. Exports of unwrought gold,
silver, platinum and their alloys dropped 13.1% as non-resident purchases of
Canadian-held gold and shipments to the US declined; Statistics Canada added
that lower prices also reduced gold export values. Precious-metals exports are
down 9% since a February peak.
