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

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.