* Canadian dollar at C$1.3856 or 72.17 U.S. cents
* Bond prices higher across the maturity curve
TORONTO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar firmed
against its U.S. counterpart on Tuesday, helped by a rebound in
crude oil prices, even as the U.S. dollar firmed against a
basket of major currencies.
Oil prices rose in thin trade amid prospects of colder
weather in coming weeks, but the outlook for 2016 remained
bearish due to slowing global demand and abundant supplies from
OPEC members.
U.S. crude CLc1 prices were up 2.28 percent to $37.65 a
barrel, while Brent crude LCOc1 added 2.27 percent to
$37.45. O/R
U.S. single-family home prices rose in October at a slightly
faster pace than in September and above market expectations.
while U.S. consumer confidence rose more than
expected in December.
At 10:07 a.m. EST (1507 GMT), the Canadian dollar CAD=D4
was trading at C$1.3856 to the greenback, or 72.17 U.S. cents,
after having last traded at C$1.3904, or 71.92 U.S. cents, on
Monday, according to Thomson Reuters data.
The currency's strongest level of the session was C$1.3863,
while its weakest level was C$1.3941.
The loonie, as Canada's currency is colloquially known, has
edged lower since before the Christmas break after oil prices
fell more than 3 percent on Monday. The Bank of Canada's
official close on Dec. 24 was C$1.3845, or 72.23 U.S. cents.
Against the euro, the Canadian dollar rose to C$1.5153. It
hit a nearly four-month low last week at C$1.5320.
Canadian government bond prices were higher across the
maturity curve, with the two-year CA2YT=RR up 1 Canadian cent
to yield 0.481 percent and the benchmark 10-year CA10YT=RR
rising 5.5 Canadian cents to yield 1.372 percent.
The Canada-U.S. 10-year spread was 4 basis points wider at
-88.6 as U.S. Treasuries unwound Monday's rally.
The domestic data calendar is bare through the
holiday-shortened week. Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz
will speak in Ottawa on Jan. 7.