USD/CAD remains below 1.3850 as Oil prices remains stronger

USD/CAD weakened as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar strengthened on higher Oil prices.
The WTI price may further rise as easing tensions reduces demand risks after Trump signaled a pause in tariffs on Europe over Greenland.
The US Dollar receives support from easing geopolitical tensions between the US and Europe.

Akhtar Faruqui FXStreet

USD/CAD remains in the negative territory for the fourth consecutive session, trading around 1.3830 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The pair weakened as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) strengthened on higher Oil prices, reflecting Canada’s role as the largest crude exporter to the United States (US).

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price maintains its position after four days of gains, hovering around $60.50 per barrel at the time of writing. The upside of the Oil prices could be restrained as supply risks are offset by oversupply concerns, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) reiterating that global supply will significantly exceed demand this year despite a modest upgrade to demand growth. Industry data also showed the United States (US) crude inventories rose by about 3 million barrels last week.

Oil prices gained ground as easing geopolitical tensions helped lower downside risks to energy demand. US President Donald Trump ruled out the use of military force to acquire Greenland on Wednesday and said that he would step back from imposing tariffs on goods from European nations opposing his effort to take possession of Greenland.

Easing geopolitical tensions between the US and Europe supported the US Dollar (USD), helping limit losses in the USD/CAD pair. Traders await weekly Initial Jobless Claims, Gross Domestic Product Annualized, and Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data for fresh signals in the US economy.

Federal Reserve (Fed) officials have indicated limited urgency to ease policy without clearer evidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward the 2% target, even as markets still price in 50 basis points of rate cuts later this year.

Canadian Dollar FAQs

What key factors drive the Canadian Dollar?

The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar.

How do the decisions of the Bank of Canada impact the Canadian Dollar?

The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive.

How does the price of Oil impact the Canadian Dollar?

The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD.

How does inflation data impact the value of the Canadian Dollar?

While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar.

How does economic data influence the value of the Canadian Dollar?

Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.

Author

Akhtar Faruqui

FXStreet

Akhtar Faruqui is a Forex Analyst based in New Delhi, India. With a keen eye for market trends and a passion for dissecting complex financial dynamics, he is dedicated to delivering accurate and insightful Forex news and analysis.

GBP/USD flirts with tops near 1.3470

GBP/USD manages to regain composure and challenge the area of daily highs around 1.3470 on Friday. Cable picks up pace despite marginal gains in the Greenback in a context of swelling geopolitical tensions and rising global oil prices.

EUR/USD struggles above 1.1500 despite USD weakness

EUR/USD struggles with its recovery above 1.1500 in European trading on Monday, despite broad US Dollar weakness and improved risk sentiment. The USD loses traction following US President Trump's call off an attack on Iran and that talks between the two sides would happen on Monday. Traders will closely monitor the developments surrounding US-Iran negotiations and US ISM PMI data.

Gold extends range play below $4,100 as rebounding USD meets receding Fed hike bets

Gold struggles to capitalize on a modest weekly bullish gap opening, and remains below the $4,100 mark heading into the European session. The US Dollar stages a modest recovery from its lowest level since June 17, which is seen capping the upside for the commodity. The upside for the USD, however, seems limited amid renewed hopes for a US-Iran peace deal and receding US Fed rate-hike expectations.

Week ahead: US payrolls report and AI earnings to keep investors on edge

After the Fed decision, NFP report awaited for more rate hike clues. Employment also on the agenda in Canada and New Zealand. Chinese trade and Japanese wage data to be watched too. But Iran and AI headlines to remain in driver’s seat for risk sentiment.

Solana risks a steeper decline below $70 despite steady ETF inflows

Solana (SOL) is trading in the red, losing bullish momentum and remaining capped below its 50-day Exponential Moving Average at $75.68. SOL-focused Exchange Traded Funds show resilience with a monthly inflow of $14.62 million in July, while the near-term retail support wanes with the funding rate turning negative.

9-3: Is the Federal Reserve’s vote tally Warsh's new forward guidance?

The rate did not move. Neither did the statement, and that’s the more interesting fact. Set the July 29 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement beside the one issued on June 17, and the two documents are identical apart from a single verb and a paragraph at the bottom naming three dissenters.