USD/CAD holds weaker below 1.26 handle, US data awaited
| • Subdued USD price action fails to provide fresh impetus.
• Weaker oil prices help limit immediate sharp downfall.
• US macro data might provide the required momentum.
The USD/CAD pair held on to its softer tone through the mid-European session but has still managed to hold above the 1.2560-55 immediate support.
The pair continued with its struggle to decisively break through the very important 200-day SMA barrier and has been confined with a broader trading range over the past one week or so, with a combination of diverging forces further contributing to a range-bound price action on Wednesday.
A subdued US Dollar price action has failed to provide any fresh bullish impetus. The negative factor, to some extent, was negated by a follow-through weakness in crude oil prices, which tends to weigh on the commodity-linked currency - Loonie, and helped limit any immediate deeper losses.
Looking at the broader picture, the pair's attempted up-move beyond the 1.2600 handle is being sold into but any retracement slide has been finding dip-buying interest ahead of mid-1.2500s. Hence, it would be prudent to wait for a decisive break through the mentioned range before committing to the pair's next leg of directional move.
Today's key focus would be on the incoming US macro data - consumer inflation figures and monthly retail sales data, which might provide the required impetus and determine the pair's next leg of directional move.
Technical levels to watch
On a sustained break below mid-1.2500s is likely to accelerate the fall back towards challenging the key 1.2500 psychological mark en-route 1.2440 strong horizontal support. On the upside, momentum above the 1.2600 handle might continue to confront fresh supply near the 1.2620 region (200-day SMA), above which a fresh bout of short-covering should pave the way for an extension of the near-term trajectory towards reclaiming the 1.2700 handle.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.