|

USD/CAD leaps above 1.23 on BoC's Lane's comments

The USD/CAD pair gathered strength in the late NA session and jumped above the 1.23 handle to refresh its highest level since September 6 at 1.2338. As of writing, the pair was trading at 1.2320, gaining more than 120 pips, or 1.05% on the day.

The pair's sudden upsurge in the last hour seems to be a product of a broad-based CAD sell-off that had been triggered by the BoC Deputy Governor Tim Lane's comments before the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority. The fact that the EUR/CAD pair also recorded a 100-pip leap supports the view of the loonie losing strength.

In his prepared remarks, Lane reiterated that the Canadian economy's growth was becoming more broadly-based and self-sustaining. However, he also noted that the trade negotiation outcomes could have implications for the economy, which would force them to consider in conducting the monetary policy. "Given the complexity of effects of material changes, we cannot adjust monetary policy in anticipation of these risks," Lane further added.

On the other hand, the US Dollar Index is sticking to its daily modest gains near the 92 mark, providing an additional boost to the pair. At the moment, the DXY is at 91.90, up 0.26% on the day.

Technical outlook

With this recent upsurge, the RSI indicator on the daily graph broke above the 70 handle, suggesting that the pair is technically overbought and could be looking to make a technical correction before extending its gains. With a daily close above 1.2300 (psychological level/20-DMA) the pair could aim for 1.2410 (Sep. 6 high), 1.2475 (50-DMA) and 1.2550 (Aug. 29 high). On the flip side, supports could be encountered at 1.2300 (20-DMA), 1.2165 (10-DMA) and 1.2080 (Apr. 27, 2015, low).

Author

Eren Sengezer

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

More from Eren Sengezer
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD flirts with daily highs, retargets 1.1900

EUR/USD regains upside traction, returning to the 1.1880 zone and refocusing its attention to the key 1.1900 barrier. The pair’s slight gains comes against the backdrop of a humble decline in the US Dollar as investors continue to assess the latest US CPI readings and the potential Fed’s rate path.

GBP/USD remains well bid around 1.3650

GBP/USD maintains its upside momentum in place, hovering around daily highs near 1.3650 and setting aside part of the recent three-day drop. Cable’s improved sentiment comes on the back of the Greenback’s  irresolute price action, while recent hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill also collaborate with the uptick.

Gold clings to gains just above $5,000/oz

Gold is reclaiming part of the ground lost on Wednesday’s marked decline, as bargain-hunters keep piling up and lifting prices past the key $5,000 per troy ounce. The precious metal’s move higher is also underpinned by the slight pullback in the US Dollar and declining US Treasury yields across the curve.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP in choppy price action, weighed down by falling institutional interest 

Bitcoin's upside remains largely constrained amid weak technicals and declining institutional interest. Ethereum trades sideways above $1,900 support with the upside capped below $2,000 amid ETF outflows.

Week ahead – Data blitz, Fed Minutes and RBNZ decision in the spotlight

US GDP and PCE inflation are main highlights, plus the Fed minutes. UK and Japan have busy calendars too with focus on CPI. Flash PMIs for February will also be doing the rounds. RBNZ meets, is unlikely to follow RBA’s hawkish path.

Ripple Price Forecast: XRP potential bottom could be in sight

Ripple edges up above the intraday low of $1.35 at the time of writing on Friday amid mixed price actions across the crypto market. The remittance token failed to hold support at $1.40 the previous day, reflecting risk-off sentiment amid a decline in retail and institutional sentiment.