|

USD/CAD holds steady above mid-1.3500s, eyes 200-day SMA amid modest USD strength

  • USD/CAD regains some positive traction amid some follow-through USD buying interest.
  • Subdued Crude Oil prices undermine the Loonie and further lend support to the major. 
  • Traders now look to BoC Governor Macklem's speech ahead of the US CPI on Wednesday.

The USD/CAD pair attracts some buyers during the Asian session on Tuesday, albeit lacks follow-through and remains confined in the previous day's trading range. Spot prices currently hover around the 1.3565 region, up less than 0.10% for the day and below the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). 

Crude Oil prices struggle to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the lowest level since June 2023 amid concerns about a slowdown in China – the world's largest importer. The worries were fueled by the latest Chinese Trade Balance data, which showed that the country’s imports remained flat in August as compared to the 6.6% growth registered in the previous month, pointing to weak domestic demand. Apart from this, hopes for additional interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada (BoC), bolstered by Friday's disappointing Canadian jobs data, undermine the commodity-linked Loonie and act as a tailwind for the USD/CAD pair. 

The US Dollar (USD), on the other hand, continues to draw support from reduced bets for a larger 50 basis points (bps) interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in September following Friday's release of the mixed US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report. This, in turn, is seen as another factor lending some support to the USD/CAD pair, though the lack of follow-through buying warrants some caution for bulls ahead of BoC Governor Tiff Macklem's speech later during the early North American session. Investors might also prefer to move to the sidelines ahead of the US inflation figures, which will play a key role in influencing the Greenback. 

The crucial US Consumer Price Index (CPI) is due for release on Wednesday, followed by the Producer Price Index (PPI) on Thursday. The data will drive market expectations about the size of the Fed's interest rate cut later this month and the USD demand. This, along with Oil price dynamics, should provide some meaningful impetus to the USD/CAD pair and help in determining the next leg of a directional move.

Economic Indicator

BoC's Governor Macklem speech

Tiff Macklem was appointed Governor of the Bank of Canada, effective 3 June 2020. As Governor, he is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank. Prior to being appointed as BoC chief, Macklem served as the Dean of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto for six years. He had already served as Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada from July 2010 until May 2014. Macklem also was the first Chair of the Financial Stability Board’s Standing Committee for Standards Implementation from 2009 to 2013, and represented the Bank of Canada at the FSB.

Read more.

Next release: Tue Sep 10, 2024 12:25

Frequency: Irregular

Consensus: -

Previous: -

Source: Bank of Canada

Author

Haresh Menghani

Haresh Menghani is a detail-oriented professional with 10+ years of extensive experience in analysing the global financial markets.

More from Haresh Menghani
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 gathers strength above 1.1750 as Fed rate cut prospects pressure US Dollar

The EUR/USD pair trades in positive territory around 1.1775 during the early Asian session on Monday. The prospect of a US Federal Reserve rate cut in 2026 weighs on the US Dollar against the Euro. Markets brace for US President Donald Trump to nominate a Fed chair to replace Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May. 

GBP/USD edges lower near 0.7400, eyes Fed rate cut outlook

GBP/USD edges lower after a gap-up open, trading around 0.7410 during the Asian hours on Monday. However, the pair may gain ground as the US Dollar faces challenges, which could be attributed to growing expectations of two more rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2026.

Gold retreats from record highs, heads toward $4,550

Gold retreats after setting a new record-high at $4,550 earlier in the Asian session on Monday and eases toward $4,500 as trading volumes thin out ahead of the New Year break. The US Dollar bearish bias remains unabated on the back of dovish Fed expectations, which continues to act as a tailwind for the bullion amid persistent geopolitical risks.

Ethereum Annual Price Forecast: ETH poised for growth in 2026 amid regulatory clarity and institutional adoption

Ethereum lost 12% of its value in 2025, declining from $3,336 at the beginning of the year to $2,930 as of the third week of December, a stark contrast from 2024's 48% gain. But that percentage doesn't do justice to the wild year ETH had in 2025.

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.

Avalanche struggles near $12 as Grayscale files updated form for ETF

Avalanche trades close to $12 by press time on Wednesday, extending the nearly 2% drop from the previous day. Grayscale filed an updated form to convert its Avalanche-focused Trust into an ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.