The Canadian dollar steadied against its U.S. counterpart on Friday as domestic data showed retail sales rising more than expected in July and despite the greenback notching gains against some other major currencies.

Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.9 per cent to $66.4 billion in July, helped by stronger new car sales. The agency says sales were higher in seven of the nine subsectors it tracks.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.9 per cent to $66.4 billion in July, helped by stronger new car sales.

Canadian retail sales grew by 0.9% in July from June, led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, while sales likely climbed further in August, data from Statistics Canada showed on Friday.