(Adds strategist quotes and details throughout, updates prices) * Canadian dollar falls 0.8% against the greenback * Price of U.S. oil settles 2.3% lower * Canadian home sales rise 7.2% in December from November * Canadian bond yields ease across a flatter curve By Fergal Smith TORONTO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened against its U.S. counterpart on Friday as a decline in risk appetite led to broader gains for the safe-haven greenback, with the loonie giving back this week"s gains despite data showing record home sales. The Canadian dollar was trading 0.8% lower at 1.2732 to the greenback, or 78.54 U.S. cents, pulling back from a near three-year high on Thursday at 1.2621. For the week, the loonie was down 0.4%. "It has primarily been some covering of short U.S. dollar positions," said Bipan Rai, North America head of FX Strategy at CIBC Capital Markets. "It"s a move in line with what we have seen in other currencies ... So it"s not the Canadian dollar on its own." Higher U.S. Treasury yields in anticipation of additional fiscal spending, have been supportive of the greenback since earlier this month. President-elect Joe Biden proposed on Thursday a stimulus package of $1.9 trillion, but investor sentiment wavered as China reported the highest number of daily COVID-19 cases in more than 10 months. Investors have also been grappling with the slower than expected rollout of vaccines. Pfizer Inc said it would slow production of its vaccine due to changes to manufacturing processes aimed at boosting production. Global shares fell and U.S. crude oil futures settled 2.3% lower at $52.36 a barrel. Oil is one of Canada"s major exports. Canadian home sales rose 7.2% in December from November, setting a new record, the Canadian Real Estate Association said. The housing market has benefited from record-low interest rates set by the Bank of Canada. The central bank is due to make an interest rate decision next week. Canadian government bond yields were lower across a flatter curve in sympathy with U.S. Treasuries. The 10-year was down 4.6 basis points at 0.810%. (Reporting by Fergal Smith; Editing by Andrea Ricci and David Gregorio)