Canadian Dollar Talking Points

USDCAD extends the rebound from the 2019-low (1.3018) even though Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reinforces expectations for an imminent change in monetary policy, and the exchange rate may stage a larger rebound over the coming days as it carves a fresh series of higher highs and lows.

USDCAD Rate Extends Rebound from 2019 Low Ahead of Canada CPI

The near-term decline in USDCAD appears to have stalled ahead of the Federal Reserve interest rate decision on July 31, but the exchange rate may exhibit a more bearish behavior in the second half of 2019 as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is widely expected to reduce the benchmark interest rate from its current threshold of 2.25% to 2.50%.

Fed Fund futures continue to highlight a 100% probability for at least a 25bp reduction as the FOMC minutes from the June meeting states that “many participants indicated that the case for somewhat more accommodative policy had strengthened.”

In fact, a growing number of Fed officials may project a lower trajectory for the benchmark interest rate as the central bank comes under pressure to reverse the four rate hikes from 2018, and the FOMC may adopt a more dovish tone over the coming months as “participants generally agreed that downside risks to the outlook for economic activity had risen materially since their May meeting, particularly those associated with ongoing trade negotiations and slowing economic growth abroad.”

However, the Bank of Canada (BoC) is likely to face a different fate as “growth in the second quarter appears to be stronger than predicted,” and the central bank may have little choice but to retain the current policy at the next meeting on September 4 as “recent data show the Canadian economy is returning to potential growth.”

Keep in mind, updates to Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) may spark a bearish reaction in the Canadian Dollar as the gauge is expected to narrow to 2.0% from 2.4% per annum in May, but a one-off downtick in the headline reading for inflation may do little to alter the monetary policy outlook as Governor Stephen Poloz and Co. insist that “CPI inflation will likely dip this year because of the dynamics of gasoline prices and some other temporary factors.”

As a result, the diverging paths for monetary policy may fuel a further shift in USDCAD behavior, with the broader outlook tilted to the downside as the exchange rate snaps the bullish trend from earlier this year.

Sign up and join DailyFX Currency Strategist David Song LIVE for an opportunity to discuss potential trade setups.

USD/CAD Rate Daily Chart

The broader outlook for USDCAD is no longer constructive as the advance from the April-low (1.3274) stalls ahead of the 2019-high (1.3665) , with the break of trendline support raising the risk for a further decline in the exchange rate.

The break of the February-low (1.3068) suggests there’s a broader shift in USDCAD behavior, but the failed attempt to break/close below the 1.3030 (50% expansion) region may generate range bound conditions amid the lack of momentum to hold above the Fibonacci overlap around 1.3120 (61.8% retracement) to 1.3130 (61.0% retracement) .

In turn, USDCAD may make another attempt to test the July-high (1.3145) as it carves a fresh series of higher highs and lows after trading to a fresh yearly low (1.3018).

Need a break/close below the 1.3030 (50% expansion) hurdle to bring the downside hurdles on the radar, with the first area of interest coming in around 1.2970 (78.6% retracement) to 1.2980 (61.8% retracement) followed by the 1.2830 (38.2% retracement) region.

Additional Trading Resources

Are you looking to improve your trading approach? Review the ‘Traits of a Successful Trader’ series on how to effectively use leverage along with other best practices that any trader can follow.

Want to know what other currency pairs the DailyFX team is watching? Download and review the Top Trading Opportunities for 2019.

--- Written by David Song, Currency Strategist

Follow me on Twitter at @DavidJSong.