* C$ ends at 98.02 U.S. cents; up 0.7 pct for the week * Domestic GDP data shows economy grew in August * Bond prices edge higher (Updates to close, adds quotes) By Jennifer Kwan TORONTO, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Canada's dollar rose against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, thanks to healthy economic data from both sides of the border, while doubts about further monetary easing by the Federal Reserve weighed on the greenback. The combination of the GDP data and a softer U.S. dollar helped lift the Canadian currency CAD=D4 to a high of C$1.0168 to the U.S. dollar, or 98.35 U.S. cents. Government data showed Canada's economic recovery picked up speed again in August after stalling in July. Gross domestic product climbed 0.3 percent, bolstered by wholesale trade, manufacturing and oil and gas extraction. GDP shrank 0.1 percent in July, the first contraction in a year. [ID:nN29223306] As well, U.S. data showed economic growth edged up as expected in the third quarter but not enough to chip away at high unemployment or change perceptions of more monetary easing from the Federal Reserve next week. [ID:nN28207235] Matthew Strauss, senior currency strategist at RBC Capital Markets, said the Canadian currency got a boost from the data, which helped to reduce investor risk aversion. "As we entered the North American session, the data came in either in line with expectations or beating expectations," he said. "It was a paring of risk aversion. This morning, the futures were significantly negative. Throughout the North American trading session they became less negative." The currency ended at C$1.0202 to the U.S. dollar, or 98.02 U.S. cents, up from Thursday's close at C$1.0215 to the U.S. dollar, or 97.90 U.S. cents. In the background, "the dominate debate and issue is quantitative easing next week," added Strauss. The uncertainty surrounding a fresh round of U.S. monetary easing ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting weighed on the U.S. dollar on Friday and prompted investors in the options market to hedge against any possible volatility. [FRX/] Camilla Sutton, chief currency strategist at Scotia Capital, said "there's a lot of risk going into the FOMC," referring to the U.S. central bank's policy-setting meeting next week. "The potential was that we saw a stronger than expected GDP print and then that would create fears that the FOMC wouldn't be as aggressive as the market thinks they're going to be right now, and that would cause U.S. dollar short covering. With the relief of that out of the way, the U.S. dollar is weakening off again," she said. Investors have been reassessing their estimates of how much money the Federal Reserve may commit to a second round of monetary stimulus -- widely dubbed "QE2" -- when it meets. [FRX/] BONDS HIGHER Canadian government bond prices were flat to higher, tracking U.S. Treasuries where debt prices rose ahead of next week's Fed meeting at which the U.S. central bank is expected to announce large-scale purchases of assets. [US/] RBC's Strauss said bonds were following a recent trend that has seen them push higher. "It's a realization that the Fed will engage quantitative easing, although in a not too aggressive way. I think the uncertainty is that it could continue with this program well into 2011, which could delay the resumption of the Bank of Canada's tightening or normalization campaign," he said. The Bank of Canada said last week it would have to consider any further rate hikes carefully, given the patchy global recovery, a weak U.S. outlook and expected curbs on Canadian growth. For Take a Look, please see: [ID:nN27276109] The two-year bond CA2YT=RR gained 4 Canadian cents to yield 1.414 percent, while the 10-year bond CA0YT=RR added 55 Canadian cents to yield 2.808 percent. (Reporting by Jennifer Kwan; editing by Rob Wilson) *We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
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