July 08, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 22, 1428

TORONTO, July 7: The Canadian dollar hit a 30-year high against the greenback on Friday, propelled by strong employment data, surging oil prices and expectations of higher interest rates.

Bonds reacted negatively to the jobs numbers, which cemented expectations that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates on Tuesday.

The currency closed higher for a fourth straight session, ending at C$1.0490 to the US dollar, or 95.33 US cents, compared with C$1.0567, or 94.63 US cents, at Thursday's close.

The Canadian dollar touched a high of C$1.0463 to the US dollar, or 95.57 U.S. cents after Statistics Canada said the economy added 34,800 jobs in June, about double what was expected.

A Reuters survey taken after the data saw consensus among Canada's 13 primary securities dealers in forecasting a 25 basis point rate hike by the the central bank on Tuesday.

A majority said the bank will probably tighten further in September.—Reuters