|

Canadian Dollar heads for first weekly gain in six weeks

  • USD/CAD extends its decline as broad US Dollar weakness supports the Canadian Dollar.
  • Falling US Treasury yields weigh on the Greenback despite expectations of further Fed tightening.
  • Markets expect both the Fed and BoC to leave interest rates unchanged in October.

USD/CAD extends its decline on Friday as broad US Dollar (USD) weakness lifts the Canadian Dollar (CAD) to its highest level in more than two weeks. At the time of writing, the pair trades around 1.4138, heading for its first weekly loss in six weeks after reaching 1.4299 on Wednesday, its highest level since April 2025.

The Greenback comes under pressure as concerns over AI-related investments weigh on equities and encourage investors to move into government bonds, pushing US Treasury yields lower, reducing the appeal of Dollar-denominated assets.

The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield trades near 5.08%, close to three-week lows. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the Greenback against a basket of six major currencies, hovers around 101.65 after climbing to an 18-month high of 102.94 earlier this week.

The risk-off sentiment overshadows a hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) outlook following this week’s stronger-than-expected US inflation reports. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6% month-on-month in September, accelerating from 0.4% in August and marking its largest monthly increase since April. The Producer Price Index (PPI) increased 1.3% in September after rising 0.5% the previous month, recording its biggest monthly advance since March 2022.

Higher Oil prices remain a key source of inflation pressure since the Middle East war began in late February. With US-Iran negotiations showing little progress and Saudi-Houthi tensions escalating, inflation could remain above the Fed’s 2% target for longer.

Fed officials have shown little urgency to raise interest rates again this month following September’s 25-basis-point increase. Speaking in Bangkok on Friday, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh avoided committing to a policy decision, saying, “I don't prejudge meetings.”

The CME FedWatch Tool shows traders pricing in a 15% probability of a rate hike at the October 27-28 meeting and a 90% chance of an increase in December.

On the Canadian Dollar side, traders anticipate a rate hike in December but expect the Bank of Canada (BoC) to leave rates unchanged in October, as it has throughout this year. With underlying inflation near the central bank’s 2% target and growing slack in the labour market, there is little reason for the BoC to raise interest rates in the near term.

Canadian Dollar Price This week

The table below shows the percentage change of Canadian Dollar (CAD) against listed major currencies this week. Canadian Dollar was the strongest against the Australian Dollar.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.57%-0.97%-0.17%-0.98%0.13%-1.02%-0.88%
EUR0.57%-0.34%0.37%-0.37%0.71%-0.42%-0.27%
GBP0.97%0.34%0.63%-0.03%1.04%-0.08%0.03%
JPY0.17%-0.37%-0.63%-0.65%0.43%-0.81%-0.58%
CAD0.98%0.37%0.03%0.65%1.10%-0.15%0.09%
AUD-0.13%-0.71%-1.04%-0.43%-1.10%-1.11%-0.95%
NZD1.02%0.42%0.08%0.81%0.15%1.11%0.12%
CHF0.88%0.27%-0.03%0.58%-0.09%0.95%-0.12%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Canadian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent CAD (base)/USD (quote).

Author

Vishal Chaturvedi

I am a macro-focused research analyst with over four years of experience covering forex and commodities market. I enjoy breaking down complex economic trends and turning them into clear, actionable insights that help traders stay ahead of the curve.

More from Vishal Chaturvedi
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD rises to 0.6950 as USD slips on Fed's Warsh

AUD/USD regains traction and extends the bounce toward 0.6950 in the Asian session on Friday. Fed Chair Warsh's comments reinforce the selling pressure on the US Dollar, allowing the pair to stretch higher. Warsh said that he remains committed to delivering price stability without giving away anything on future interest rate path.

USD/JPY falls in symc with USD, gives up 158.00 after Warsh's speech

USD/JPY has come under fresh selling pressure and gives up 158.00 in the Asian session on Friday amid the emergence of fresh US Dollar selling. Fed Chair Warsh's non-committal commentary on the future tightening path, weighs on the US Dollar and the pair.

Gold looks vacillating above $4,150

Gold alternates gains with losses below the key $4,200 mark per troy ounce on Friday. The yellow metal’s irresolute price action comes in response to a modest pullback in the US Dollar and a tepid recovery in US Treasury yields across the board.

Bitcoin steadies at $82,000: The five forces crushing the Uptober rally

Crypto markets have remained under pressure so far in October, with Bitcoin (BTC) sliding below $80,000 earlier this week before recovering to around $82,000 on Friday, as macroeconomic headwinds and cooling demand weigh on the market.

The Fed just got a second hot inflation number. Here's what the diesel signal is really saying
The Federal Reserve (Fed) faces a renewed inflation challenge after two consecutive reports showed price pressure intensifying across the US economy. September's Consumer Price Index (CPI) confirmed accelerating consumer inflation, while the Producer Price Index (PPI) revealed an even sharper rise in business costs. Behind both reports lies a common factor: energy prices.
Everyone's dumping Gold after hot US inflation. Here's why $4,100 could be a floor, not a cliff
Gold (XAU/USD) is recovering from a sharp sell-off triggered by hotter-than-expected United States (US) inflation data released on Wednesday. The precious metal briefly plunged toward $4,073 as investors increased their bets on further Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate hikes before recovering as US Treasury yields and the US Dollar (USD) reversed their initial gains.