USD/CAD spikes to 1.34 following key data releases from Canada and US


  • Retail sales in Canada rose 0.8% in February
  • The Census Bureau reports a 1.6% growth in U.S. retail trade.
  • US Dollar Index jumps to 2-week highs above 97.40.

With the initial market reaction to upbeat macroeconomic data releases from both Canada and the United States, the USD/CAD pair touched a fresh 2-day high at 1.34 before retreating slightly. As of writing, the pair was up 0.34% on the day at 1.3384.

Statistics Canada today reported that retail sales in February increased by 0.8% on a monthly basis following January's 0.4% decline. Other data from Canada today showed that, according to the ADP, employment in March increased by 13.2K. 

However, with the greenback taking advantage of the upbeat data from the U.S., the pair didn't have a difficult time staying in the positive territory.

Retail sales in the U.S. rose by an impressive 1.6% in March to beat analysts' estimate for a growth of 0.7%. Additionally, initial jobless claims decreased by 5K to 192, its lowest level since 1969. Boosted by the data, the US Dollar Index, which earlier in the day advanced to 97.30 area amid risk-off flows, jumped to its highest level in two weeks at 97.42. Later in the session, the Markit's Manufacturing and Services PMI data will be the next driver of the greenback's valuation ahead of the Easter break.

Technical levels

With a decisive break above 1.3400 (daily high/Apr. 16 high), the pair could target 1.3450 (Mar. 28 high) and 1.3500 (psychological level). On the downside, support could be seen at 1.3330 (50-DMA), 1.3275 (Apr. 17 low) and 1.3230 (200-DMA).

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD clings to gains near 1.0700, awaits key US data

EUR/USD clings to gains near 1.0700, awaits key US data

EUR/USD clings to gains near the 1.0700 level in early Europe on Thursday. Renewed US Dollar weakness offsets the risk-off market environment, supporting the pair ahead of the key US GDP and PCE inflation data. 

EUR/USD News

USD/JPY keeps pushing higher, eyes 156.00 ahead of US GDP data

USD/JPY keeps pushing higher, eyes 156.00 ahead of US GDP data

USD/JPY keeps breaking into its highest chart territory since June of 1990 early Thursday, recapturing 155.50 for the first time in 34 years as the Japanese Yen remains vulnerable, despite looming intervention risks. The focus shifts to Thursday's US GDP report and the BoJ decision on Friday. 

USD/JPY News

Gold closes below key $2,318 support, US GDP holds the key

Gold closes below key $2,318 support, US GDP holds the key

Gold price is breathing a sigh of relief early Thursday after testing offers near $2,315 once again. Broad risk-aversion seems to be helping Gold find a floor, as traders refrain from placing any fresh directional bets on the bright metal ahead of the preliminary reading of the US first-quarter GDP due later on Thursday.

Gold News

Injective price weakness persists despite over 5.9 million INJ tokens burned

Injective price weakness persists despite over 5.9 million INJ tokens burned

Injective price is trading with a bearish bias, stuck in the lower section of the market range. The bearish outlook abounds despite the network's deflationary efforts to pump the price. 

Read more

Meta takes a guidance slide amidst the battle between yields and earnings

Meta takes a guidance slide amidst the battle between yields and earnings

Meta's disappointing outlook cast doubt on whether the market's enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. Investors now brace for significant macroeconomic challenges ahead, particularly with the release of first-quarter GDP data.

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures