* Canadian dollar ends at C$1.3399, or 74.63 U.S. cents
* Loonie touches its weakest since Jan. 4 at C$1.3402
* Bond prices lower across the yield curve
* Canada-U.S. 2-year spread hits largest gap since January 2016
By Fergal Smith
TORONTO, March 2 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened on Thursday to a nearly two-month low against its U.S. counterpart, shrugging off data that showed solid domestic economic growth as oil prices fell and the greenback climbed against a basket of major currencies.
Gains for the U.S. dollar .DXY came on increasing signs from Federal Reserve officials that the U.S. central bank is seriously considering raising interest rates this month. trend is the friend for the U.S. dollar, so despite the strong (Canadian) data that came out this morning it has a muted effect on the outlook for the Canadian dollar," said Rahim Madhavji, president at Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange.
"The longer term story is the rise in the interest rate differential."
Canada's 2-year yield fell 1.4 basis points further below its U.S. equivalent to a spread of -54.1 basis points, its largest gap since January 2016.
The wider gap came one day after the Bank of Canada held rates steady as it stayed focused on the "significant uncertainties" facing the economy, including the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. that Canada's central bank will stay on hold until 2018 even as the Fed continues to raise interest rates will pressure the Canadian dollar over the coming months, a Reuters poll predicted. prices aren't really helping the Canadian dollar either," said Madhavji.
U.S. crude oil futures CLc1 settled $1.22 lower at $52.61 a barrel after Russian oil production remained unchanged in February, showing weak compliance with a global deal to curb supply. O/R
Oil is one of Canada's major exports.
The Canadian dollar CAD=D4 ended at C$1.3399 to the greenback, or 74.63 U.S. cents, weaker than Wednesday's close of C$1.3335, or 74.99 U.S. cents.
The currency's strongest level of the session was C$1.3324, while it touched its weakest since Jan. 4 at C$1.3402.
The Canadian economy grew at a 2.6 percent annualized rate in the fourth quarter, lifted by consumer spending and a rebound in activity in the housing market, while imports tumbled. polled by Reuters had expected 2 percent growth.
"For the Canadian dollar, we're not seeing a big response yet, but I think it's fairly clear that this is supportive news for the currency," said Doug Porter, chief economist at BMO Capital Markets.
Canadian government bond prices were lower across the yield curve, with the two-year CA2YT=RR down 2.5 Canadian cents to yield 0.775 percent and the 10-year CA10YT=RR falling 11 Canadian cents to yield 1.701 percent.