Data backs a steady BoC

USDCAD

The decidedly data dependent Bank of Canada has maintained that the current sluggish growth performance is a detour from the expansionary path that prevailed before a plunge in oil prices severely restrained Q4 GDP. Several important reports are due ahead of the April 24 policy announcement, with the releases having scope to influence expectations for a more dovish tone or even a rate cut further out on the horizon.

As we saw earlier today, Canada’s CPI and trade reports supported a steady BoC policy next week, with no shift anticipated in the cautiously optimistic outlook for growth. CPI jumped to a 1.9% y/y pace in March from 1.5% in February, as expected amid a run-up in gasoline prices. The surprise of the report was that core CPI measures mostly accelerated.

Meanwhile, the trade deficit narrowed by a bit more than expected to -C$2.9 bln in February from -C$3.1 bln in January, but exports fell 1.3% m/m while imports contracted 1.6% to leave a mixed takeaway on trade.

The pick-up in the annual growth rates of two of three core CPI measures to back or above 2.0% is the most significant development in terms of the BoC policy outlook, as it supports the BoC’s view that the slowing in the economy over Q4/Q1 is temporary, with underlying inflation seen returning to the 2% area from below as the delayed expansion resumes later this year.

More data is needed of course, but the March CPI report has eliminates the already very thin chance for a rate cut later this year. as it was close to expectations, and hence consistent with the Bank’s view that the economy will continue to recover from the oil price shock through the first half.

Resilience outside of the oil-producing regions does track the expectations that rates will eventually need to move higher again, likely in late 2020.

In the currency Market meanwhile, USDCAD fell following the warmer Canada CPI outcome, and the narrowed trade deficit. The pairing fell from 1.3330 to under 1.3270, printing a 1-month low in the process. Next risk event for the CAD comes at 12:30 GMT with the weekly EIA oil inventory report on tap.

However till then, the hourly chart looks extremely oversold, since the price moves outside the lower Bollinger Bands, below all 3 MAs with RSI at 30 and Stochastic looking to the downside again. The sharp move outside of BB could be followed by a correction to the upside within the day.

Next Support levels are set at : 1.3270 and 1.3250.

Next Resistance levels are set at :1.3310 and 1.3330.