|

CAD under the threat of rising global/NAFTA trade tensions - Westpac

Q1 saw CAD pummelled by the two-pronged threat of rising global/NAFTA trade tensions and a more cautious Bank of Canada as USD/CAD has now eased more than 2.5% from its highs but continues to overstate both threats, according to Richard Franulovich, Research Analyst at Westpac.

Key Quotes

 “The Trump administration has softened a key demand regarding regional car and car parts content in the rush to secure a quick near term symbolic victory before US midterm elections and Mexican elections stymie progress.”

“BoC pricing has firmed a touch lately, from a low of around +44bp to 50bp by year’s end, but it remains heavily back loaded into the second half of 2018 – the first 25bp is not priced in until August. Against that, the latest wage and inflation updates continue to track in line with BoC projections and our Canada surprise index warns negative sentiment is overdone too.”

Author

Sandeep Kanihama

Sandeep Kanihama

FXStreet Contributor

Sandeep Kanihama is an FX Editor and Analyst with FXstreet having principally focus area on Asia and European markets with commodity, currency and equities coverage. He is stationed in the Indian capital city of Delhi.

More from Sandeep Kanihama
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD remains confined in a range above 0.7100

AUD/USD extends its consolidative price move above 0.7100 through the Asian session on Tuesday, shrugging off hawkish comments from RBA Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter as traders keenly await the crucial Trump-Xi summit later this week. Meanwhile, escalating tensions in the Middle East and the Fed's hawkish outlook remain supportive of the bullish US Dollar undertone, capping spot prices.

USD/JPY bulls seem cautious below 157.50 as JPY intervention risks loom

USD/JPY consolidates below mid-157.00s during the Asian session on Tuesday as intervention fears help limit losses for the Japanese Yen. However, the BoJ's dovish rate hike to a 31-year high keeps JPY bulls on the back foot. At the same time, the US Dollar retains its bullish undertone amid the Fed's hawkish outlook and escalating Middle East tensions, acting as a tailwind for the pair.

Gold benefits from falling US bond yields; remains below $4,400 amid bullish USD

Gold regains positive traction during the Asian session on Tuesday, though it lacks bullish conviction and remains below $4,400. Falling oil prices ease inflation fears, dragging US bond yields lower and supporting the non-yielding yellow metal. Meanwhile, the Fed's hawkish stance, along with escalating Middle East tensions, keeps the US Dollar near its highest level since late July and acts as a headwind for the bullion.

Ethereum rallies above $2,700 as investors shrug off bearish sentiment
Ethereum (ETH) climbed above $2,700 on Monday after investors defended the realized price level despite negative sentiment over the Clarity Act's failure and the Federal Reserve rate hike. After the Clarity Act failed to advance in the Senate, ETH dipped below $2,400 last week. But right below that price is the top altcoin's realized price, or average on-chain cost basis, at $2,310.
The week ahead: Fuel prices in focus as we lead up to key eco releases

Financial markets are in a strange position as we move to the final weeks of Q3, uncertainty and volatility continue to grip markets, but the oil price is falling; and European and US stocks are poised to open higher later on Monday. Market stresses are concentrated in sovereign bonds, and European and US yields had another scare late on Friday, and moved higher.

BoJ Recap: Not as hawkish as expected

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) raised its short-term interest-rate target to 1.25% from 1.00% in a 7-2 vote, marking another step in the normalisation of monetary policy and widely matching what everyone has been expecting for weeks.