* Canadian dollar rises 0.3% against the greenback
* Loonie posts a near 6-month high at 1.3206
* Price of U.S. oil falls 0.1%
* Canada's 10-year yield climbs to a 2-month high at 0.623%
TORONTO, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The commodity-linked Canadian dollar advanced to its strongest level in nearly six months against the greenback on Thursday as data from the U.S. Labor Department supported optimism on global economic recovery.
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped below 1 million last week for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, signaling a recovery in the job market was on track. sends about 75% of its exports to the United States, including oil. U.S. crude oil futures CLc1 were down 0.1% at $42.62 a barrel as the International Energy Agency lowered its 2020 oil demand forecast following unprecedented travel restrictions. Canadian dollar CAD= was trading 0.3% higher at 1.3208 to the greenback, or 75.71 U.S. cents. The currency touched its strongest intraday level since Feb. 21 at 1.3206.
Canada's manufacturing sales report for June is due on Friday. Economists expect a 16.4% increase in sales, which would add to evidence of domestic economic recovery.
Canadian government bond yields were higher across the curve, with the 10-year CA10YT=RR rising 1.1 basis points to notch its highest level since June 11 at 0.623%.