USD/CAD Reaches Weekly Highs on USD Strength, But Increases Might Be Limited in the Face of Important Economic Releases and FOMC Minutes
The USD/CAD currency pair has continued to recover for a third straight day, rising to a new weekly high at the 1.3840 level due to slight US Dollar appreciation after robust US economic reports. Yet, still lingering over the US fiscal horizon and increasing hopes of Fed rate reductions in 2025 might cap further gains. On top of this, traders are being cautious before the FOMC meeting minutes and major economic announcements, such as US GDP, PCE statistics, and Canada’s monthly GDP. Though higher crude oil prices and firmer Canadian inflation statistics might underpin the Loonie, a conclusive trend might only be seen with continued follow-through buying. KEY LOOKOUTS • Traders will be keeping a close eye on the minutes for insight into the Fed’s interest rate outlook, which may determine USD sentiment and near-term price action. • The coming Prelim Q1 GDP and PCE Price Index releases will be pivotal in influencing expectations for future Fed policy action and shaping USD demand. • Canada’s monthly GDP and variations in crude oil—Canada’s major export—will be crucial in deciding CAD strength. • Continuous worries over the US fiscal health can keep the USD under pressure, keeping gains in the USD/CAD pair in check even with positive information. USD/CAD pair trades at weekly highs, market players are closely eyeing a number of crucial factors that can decide its next direction. The release of the FOMC meeting minutes is eagerly awaited, as investors want to know the Fed’s rate-cut path. Along with that, the next US economic data releases—specifically the preliminary Q1 GDP and the PCE Price Index—will be crucial in deciding the momentum of the USD. On the Canadian front, more-than-anticipated core inflation and the next monthly print of GDP, along with crude oil price fluctuations, may provide the Loonie with support. Also, ongoing worries regarding the US fiscal horizon could still limit the greenback’s appreciation, contributing to the pair’s short-term ambiguity. Traders are looking to the FOMC meeting minutes and leading US data such as Q1 GDP and PCE for hints at the Fed’s rate trajectory. On the Canadian front, firmer inflation and coming GDP prints, as well as oil price action, may underpin the Loonie. US fiscal issues may also cap additional USD gain. • USD/CAD is trading around 1.3840, a third consecutive day of rising gains and a new weekly high. • Positive US economic data has propped up the USD, alleviating recession concerns and boosting the DXY. • FOMC meeting minutes are expected for some clarity on the Fed’s rate-cutting outlook in 2025. • US fiscal issues and dovish Fed expectations could cap further gains for the USD. • Prelim US Q1 GDP and PCE Index figures may have a strong bearing on the direction of the USD this week. • Warmer Canadian core inflation has taken away some possibility of a June BoC rate cut, supporting CAD strength. • Crude oil price action and Canadian monthly GDP will be major drivers for the Loonie. The USD/CAD pair is still in the spotlight this week as a number of significant economic events on both sides of the border continue to happen. The US Dollar is finding support from some recent encouraging economic data, which has helped to alleviate some recession fears and lift sentiment in the markets. While investor attention is firmly focused on the upcoming release of FOMC meeting minutes, which should give more definitive direction on future interest rate policy by the Federal Reserve. Simultaneously, persistent worries about the US fiscal picture are causing volatility and may affect the overall demand for the USD in the near future. USD/CAD DAILY PRICE CHART CHART SOURCE: TradingView In Canada, better-than-anticipated core inflation readings have caused the market expectations for potential interest rate reductions by the Bank of Canada to change. This, along with higher crude oil prices, has supported the Canadian Dollar beneath. In the coming week, the release of Canada’s monthly GDP report will be under keen observation for additional evidence of economic strength. Along with the important US releases of Q1 GDP and the PCE Price Index, these are the elements most likely to determine the market mood towards the USD/CAD currency pair for the rest of the week. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS USD/CAD has continued its recovery from the recent low around the 1.3685 area, with the pair now sitting near the 1.3840 resistance area. This area represents a significant barrier, and a breakout above it can be a signal of bullish continuation in the short term. Still, momentum indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) are nearing overbought levels on the daily chart, which means buyers might get tired if the pair is unable to break higher convincingly. On the bearish side, near-term support is around the 1.3780 level, followed by the 1.3725-1.3700 area, which would serve as a cushion if the pair is subject to selling pressure. FORECAST If the bullish trend remains and USD/CAD decisively breaks above the 1.3840 resistance zone, then the pair may target the next levels on the upside at 1.3880 and possibly 1.3915. More robust US economic data and a hawkish interpretation of FOMC meeting minutes will fuel additional support for the USD to drive the pair further up. Moreover, any backtracking in crude oil prices or softer-than-anticipated Canadian GDP figures might soften the Canadian Dollar, providing more space for further upsides. Alternatively, a failure to sustain above the 1.3840 threshold might spark a short-term correction, with near-term support around the 1.3780 region. A more severe pullback can also challenge the 1.3725–1.3700 support level, particularly if US data is disappointing or if the FOMC minutes suggest a more dovish policy. Some strong Canadian economic data or a continuation of the oil price increase can also reinforce the Loonie and push the pair down towards a revisit of the recent low around 1.3685.
