USD/CAD Falls Below 1.4100 Pre-US CPI Data Due to Weak Dollar and Pressure in Oil Market
The USD/CAD currency pair remains trading lower, falling below the 1.4100 level as the US Dollar continues to be under pressure prior to the eagerly awaited US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for March. Anticipation of a modest dip in both headline and core inflation has cooled USD demand, with markets rethinking the chances of an imminent Fed rate cut. The Canadian Dollar also has its own headwinds as weakening oil prices—brought about by rising US-China trade tensions and renewed concerns about demand—bear down on the commodity-sensitive currency. Despite weakness in the USD, these countervailing forces are expected to cap the pair’s downside. KEY LOOKOUTS • A softer-than-anticipated inflation figure may spur rumors of future Fed rate reductions, which could be a further drag on the US Dollar. • As a significant Canadian export, falling crude prices due to worldwide demand worries and US-China trade tensions might cap CAD advances. • Reaction to last week’s FOMC Meeting Minutes will continue to be pivotal, particularly about balancing inflation taming and economic slowdown. • Any intensification of trade tensions might trigger risk-off sentiment, impacting oil prices and general currency market flows. The USD/CAD pair is down pressure below the 1.4100 level as investors wait for the US CPI inflation reading, which has the potential to influence expectations of upcoming Federal Reserve policy action. A lower inflation print would likely raise speculation on rate cuts, weakening the US Dollar further. But the Canadian Dollar is also coming under headwinds with declining oil prices amidst renewed concerns about demand triggered by rising US-China trade tensions. These counterforces—USD weakness against CAD vulnerability on sliding crude—are poised to create a tug-of-war in the pair’s direction, sustaining volatility in the near term. USD/CAD trades below 1.4100 as investors await key US CPI data, with expectations of a slight cooldown in inflation. While the US Dollar remains subdued, falling oil prices amid US-China trade tensions weigh on the Canadian Dollar, limiting further downside. • USD/CAD trades below 1.4100 for the second consecutive day amid US Dollar weakness. • March US CPI data are due, with inflation projected to slow to 2.6% from 2.8% in February. • Core CPI is predicted at 3%, down slightly from the last 3.1% reading. • FOMC minutes reveal concern over increasing inflation and decelerating growth, implying dovish Fed policy. • Market pricing indicates a 40% probability of a Fed rate cut next meeting, representing uncertainty. • WTI crude oil is close to $60.20, weighed down by demand concerns driven by US-China trade tensions. • Canadian Dollar is still susceptible to declining oil prices, topping gains against weakening USD. The USD/CAD currency pair is in the limelight as the market waits for the release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for March. This report is viewed closely because it gives information about inflation patterns within the United States, which greatly influence Federal Reserve actions. Mild cooling of inflation relative to the last month will be expected and may shape investors’ sentiments of future monetary policy actions. Concurrently, the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes indicate that policymakers are closely walking a tightrope between inflation fears and risks of a decelerating economic growth. USD/CAD DAILY PRICE CHART CHART SOURCE: TradingView In addition, external pressures like global trade tensions are fueling market uncertainty. Fresh tensions between the US and China have renewed concerns about global demand, especially in the energy markets. Since oil is a crucial component of the Canadian economy, these events are being closely watched. The movement of crude oil prices and their reaction to overall economic signals will remain a key consideration for the Canadian Dollar. With both the US and Canadian economies having unique issues, market players are watchful in anticipation of any major economic releases. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS USD/CAD continues to exhibit signs of weakness as it continues below the psychological level of 1.4100. The currency pair has dipped below short-term support levels, reflecting a bearish near-term bias. Momentum indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicate poor upside potential since they are resting close to neutral levels, and moving averages are beginning to tilt downwards, enhancing selling pressure. Should the pair be unable to hold its ground at or above 1.4100, however, it would begin to weaken to the next level of support around 1.4050, while a solid break higher at 1.4100 could set up the retesting of 1.4150 resistance. FORECAST In the event the US CPI for tomorrow surprises higher on the back of more solid-than-expected inflation, then the US Dollar will be pushed upwards by reinforcing the Fed’s hold-back from further interest rate cutting. A resurgence of USD strength could assist USD/CAD in rising back above the 1.4100 level, with possible levels of resistance at 1.4150 and 1.4200. Also, any indications of stability or rebound in oil prices would assist the Canadian Dollar, but if oil demand prospects are brightened by softening global tensions, the pair’s higher limit could be curtailed. Conversely, a weaker inflation print might revive hopes of Fed rate cuts, pulling the US Dollar down and further lowering USD/CAD. A fall below the current support at 1.4050 might result in a more pronounced pullback towards 1.4000 or even 1.3960. If oil prices remain low based on ongoing demand issues or lingering US-China trade tensions, the Canadian Dollar might depreciate even more, halting the descent of USD/CAD even if there is stress on the US Dollar.
