Carolyn Wilkins, Bank of Canada’s senior deputy governor, delivered what appears to be laying the groundwork for a potential cut. While she tips her hat to an economy that is “relatively well overall,” she pointed to regional differences and reiterated concerns over the “immense challenges” faced by the global economy.
On rates, while they “may be relatively low now,” she added the bank “still has room to manoeuvre” and that “lowering rates could provide some insurance against downside to inflation.” Moreover, she added that the central bank has additional options in its tool kit, such as “extraordinary forward guidance and large-scale asset purchases.”
With CPI data later today and BoC Governor Stephen Poloz due to speak tomorrow, we could see a further follow-through with CAD weakness should inflation disappoint and Poloz add his own dovish remarks. There’s also retail sales, GDP and PPI data ahead of their next meeting Dec. 4.
CPI: BoC year-over-year inflation data sits around the centre band of their 1-3% target, with standard CPI YoY at 1.9%, trimmed mean at 2.1% and weighted median at 2.2%. On a monthly basis, however, CPI has contracted three times over the last four prints, with September’s read at -0.15% below a -1 standard deviations. Eventually these monthly figures will weigh on the slowly moving yearly reads, so another negative print would see a rise in expectations for BoC to cut in December or February. Furthermore, if oil prices are to weaken it could further weigh on the Canadian dollar and eventually inflation.
NZD/CAD was the biggest gainer of the U.S. session, breaking key resistance at 0.8500 and closing above the March trendline to a 12-week high. Given that NZD traders remain heavily short, data is improving and TWI remains well below RBNZ’s own forecast, we continue to see upside potential for NZD crosses and CAD could be the ideal currency to pair it with, if BoC extend their dovish rhetoric and data weakens.
- – A bullish engulfing candle closed firmly above key resistance and the bearish channel.
- – The 50 and 100-day eMA’s could provide support around the low of the engulfing candle or 0.8500 support.
- – While 0.8500 may hold as support for near-term bullish opportunities, bulls could consider seeking dips above the 0.8430 low.
- – Near-term target is around 0.8600, near swing high/low and the 200-day eMA.
AUD/CAD also shows potential for a deeper correction, if not a reversal against its bearish trend. Declines slatted around the July 2010 low and a bullish piercing pattern confirmed a bear-trap with a false break of support. Having rebound to 0.9100, prices have pulled back and yesterday’s bullish engulfing candle raises the potential for a higher low to form. Moreover, it could be part of an inverted head and shoulders pattern.
