The Canadian dollar is showing little movement in the Friday session, continuing the trend we saw on Thursday. Currently, USD/CAD is trading at 1.2493, up 0.10% on the day. On the release front, Canada releases Manufacturing Production, which is expected to slow to 0.2% in December, after a strong 3.4% gain in November. In the U.S., Building Permits is expected to inch lower to 1.30 million, and Housing Starts are projected to improve to 1.23 million. As well, UoM Consumer Sentiment is expected to rise to 95.4 points.
The U.S. dollar has been under pressure from rival currencies throughout the week, and the Canadian dollar has jumped on the bandwagon. On Wednesday, the Canadian currency posted its best one-day performance in 2018, gaining close to 1 percent against the greenback. The U.S. dollar sagged as investors focused on poor retail sales reports in January. Retail Sales was flat at 0.0%, short of the estimate of 0.5%. Core Retail Sales declined 0.3%, well off the forecast of +0.2%. Last week’s market sell-off, which sent the U.S. dollar higher against other currencies, was triggered by fears of higher inflation. The U.S. has posted strong inflation numbers this week, and this has raised concerns that investors could again lose their risk appetite and send the Canadian dollar lower.
The recent volatility in the stock markets could affect U.S. interest rate policy. Currently, the Fed has projected three hikes this year, but that could change to four or even five hikes, if inflation continues to head upwards and the robust U.S. economy maintains its strong expansion. The new head of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, received a rude welcome from the stock markets, when he started his new position last week. Powell sought to send a reassuring message earlier this week, declaring that the Fed is on alert to any risks to financial stability. However, it is clear that the Fed’s hand is limited when it comes to stock markets moves, and the volatility which we saw last week could resume at any time.
USD/CAD Fundamentals
Friday (Feb. 16)
- 8:30 Canadian Foreign Securities Purchases. Estimate 19.18B
- 8:30 Canadian Manufacturing Sales. Estimate 0.2%
- 8:30 US Building Permits. Estimate 1.29M
- 8:30 US Housing Starts. Estimate 1.23M
- 8:30 US Import Prices. Estimate 0.6%
- 10:00 US Preliminary UoM Consumer Sentiment. Estimate 95.4
- 10:00 US Preliminary UoM Inflation Expectations
*All release times are GMT
*Key events are in bold
USD/CAD for Friday, Feb. 16, 2018
USD/CAD, Feb. 16 at 7:05 EST
Open: 1.2481 High: 1.2494 Low: 1.2450 Close: 1.2493
USD/CAD Technical
| S3 | S2 | S1 | R1 | R2 | R3 |
| 1.2060 | 1.2190 | 1.2351 | 1.2494 | 1.2630 | 1.2757 |
USD/CAD edged lower in the Asian session but has recovered in European trade
- 1.2351 is providing support
- 1.2494 is under pressure in resistance
- Current range: 1.2351 to 1.2494
Further levels in both directions:
- Below: 1.2351, 1.2190 and 1.2060
- Above: 1.2494, 1.2630, 1.2757 and 1.2855
OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio
USD/CAD ratio is almost unchanged in the Friday session. Currently, long positions have a majority (54%), indicative of trader bias towards USD/CAD breaking out and moving lower.
This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.