• A weaker U.S. currency and firmer oil prices helped pull the loonie away from its lowest level in nearly six years. 
  
  
• Canada's economy got mixed news on the eve of a crucial employment report. Canadian companies ran at a faster pace of capacity of 83.6% in the fourth quarter, up from a downwardly revised 83.2% in Q3. New home prices unexpectedly fell 0.1% in Jan. 
  
  
• What should matter most for the loonie is Friday's local jobs report. Forecasts call for hiring to fall by 5,000 in February and unemployment to rise to 6.7% from 6.6%. The outcome will shed some light on the outlook for the Bank of Canada.