|

CAD underperforms on steel tariff threat – Scotiabank

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is softer in response to the latest tariff threat from the US, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes. 

CAD holds consolidation range

"But the CAD’s loss is relatively minor and spot is holding within yesterday’s range and is still trading a little below estimated fair value (unchanged this morning at 1.4387). Tariff threats will keep markets guessing about the outlook for BoC policy." 

"March pricing is a little better than 50/50 for a cut at this point—policymakers may not have enough information to make the call at that point—but April swaps are pricing in 31bps of easing—up a couple of ticks from yesterday. Wide/wider short-term spreads will remain a major drag on the CAD’s broader outlook." 

"Spot is holding within a fairly tight trading range that developed after last week’s huge market swings. Support is 1.4260/70 while the ceiling of the trading range sits at 1.4370/80 (40-day MA sits at 1.4380 this morning). Broader trading patterns continue to lean a little more constructively for the CAD after the huge reversal from Monday’s peak. That may lead to the market to at least try and test support in the upper 1.42s if volatility eases in the next week or so."

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

More from FXStreet Insights Team
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD bounces toward 1.1750 as US Dollar loses strength

EUR/USD returned to the 1.1750 price zone in the American session on Friday, despite falling Wall Street, which indicates risk aversion. Trading conditions remain thin following the New Year holiday and ahead of the weekend, with the focus shifting to US employment and European data scheduled for next week.

GBP/USD nears 1.3500, holds within familiar levels

After testing 1.3400 on the last day of 2025, GBP/USD managed to stage a rebound. Nevertheless, the pair finds it difficult to gather momentum and trades with modest intraday gains at around 1.3490 as market participants remain in holiday mood.

Gold trims intraday gains, approaches $4,300

Gold retreated sharply from the $4,400  area and trades flat for the day in the $4,320 price zone. Choppy trading conditions exacerbated the intraday decline, although XAU/USD bearish case is out of the picture, considering growing expectations for a dovish Fed and persistent geopolitical tensions.

Cardano gains early New Year momentum, bulls target falling wedge breakout

Cardano kicks off the New Year on a positive note and is extending gains, trading above $0.36 at the time of writing on Friday. Improving on-chain and derivatives data point to growing bullish interest, while the technical outlook keeps an upside breakout in focus.

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).