The Canadian Dollar (CAD) saw slight gains against the US Dollar on Tuesday but struggled to make significant progress. The upcoming rate cut from the Bank of Canada (BoC) is expected to further impact the CAD. Despite a recent uptick in core inflation, the BoC is committed to continuing with rate cuts to address demands for cheaper debt financing costs. This move comes as the US prepares to release key data this week that may overshadow the BoC rate cut.
Investors are anticipating a 25 bps rate cut from the BoC following June’s quarter-point cut, although concerns remain about the impact of too many rate cuts on the Canadian economy. Declining rates could lead to increased activity in Canada’s housing market, further exacerbating the issue of consumer debt and housing prices. In the US, a series of data releases, including PMI figures, GDP updates, and inflation data, are expected to impact market sentiment and could influence the likelihood of future rate cuts.
The Canadian Dollar’s performance against major currencies today showed gains against the New Zealand Dollar but varied against other currencies. The USD/CAD pair continued to see upward movement on Tuesday, with the USD outperforming the CAD. Bidders are pushing the pair towards the 1.3800 handle, but resistance near 1.3850 is limiting momentum. A bearish turn could see the pair pull back to the 200-day EMA at 1.3598.
Factors influencing the Canadian Dollar include interest rates set by the BoC, the price of oil, the health of Canada’s economy, inflation rates, the Trade Balance, and market sentiment. The BoC plays a significant role in determining interest rates, which impact the CAD. Higher oil prices tend to benefit the CAD due to Canada’s reliance on oil exports. Inflation and macroeconomic data releases also contribute to the currency’s value.
Investors are closely watching the BoC rate cut and US data releases for signals about the future direction of the Canadian Dollar. While economic indicators and market sentiment can influence the CAD in the short term, the long-term strength of the currency will depend on factors such as interest rates, oil prices, and economic stability. The upcoming events in both Canada and the US will likely have a significant impact on the CAD and shape market sentiment in the coming days.