USD/CAD Grapples With Lows Under Weight of Bearish USD Sentiment and Higher Oil Prices
The USD/CAD currency pair continues to see downward pressure, trading at the lower end of its near-term trading range as bearish US Dollar sentiment and higher crude oil prices keep the pair on the back foot. A bull spike in oil due to Red Sea geopolitical tensions and tighter Canadian fundamentals is providing some support to the commodity-linked Loonie. Meanwhile, growing expectations of multiple Fed rate cuts in 2025, coupled with soft US inflation data and a cooling labor market, keep the US Dollar subdued. Traders now await key US economic data and the outcome of the upcoming FOMC policy meeting for clearer directional cues. KEY LOOKOUTS • Markets await the outcome of the FOMC meeting, which could offer fresh clues on future interest rate path and USD direction. • Future US economic statistics such as Retail Sales and Empire State Manufacturing Index can shape short-term USD/CAD direction and sentiment. • Further escalation of Middle East tensions would further push oil prices up, supporting the Canadian Dollar and putting downward pressure on USD/CAD. • Bullish news from recent US-Canada trade negotiations can continue to support the Loonie, keeping upside in the USD/CAD pair in check. Traders are keenly interested in important economic and geopolitical events that may dictate the USD/CAD pair in the near future. The impending FOMC policy meeting is crucial in its importance, with a potential to provide new information on the Federal Reserve’s rate-cut path as US inflation and labor indicators weaken. US Retail Sales and Empire State Manufacturing Index would also be awaited for short-term trading signals. Conversely, increasing crude oil prices, driven by growing tensions at the Red Sea, remain to underpin the commodity-related Canadian Dollar. Additionally, sentiment from recent US-Canada trade talks that was optimistic in nature may keep the Loonie strong and limit any significant appreciation of the USD/CAD pair. USD/CAD is under pressure at the lower end of its range due to a weak US Dollar and higher crude oil prices. Traders are waiting for important US data and the FOMC policy decision for new direction. Favorable US-Canada trade sentiment also favors the Loonie. • USD/CAD stays firm around mid-1.4300s, unable to bounce back due to overall bearish sentiment against the US Dollar. • Crude oil prices jump to a two-week high, propping up the Canadian Dollar on account of its commodity-linked nature. • Geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea drive oil price spikes, bolstering the Loonie and capping USD/CAD upside. • Market expectations of several Fed rate cuts in 2025 weigh heavily on the US Dollar’s strength. • Soft US inflation and moderating labor market numbers reaffirm hopes for dovish Federal Reserve policy. • Positive news recently in US-Canada trade negotiations further encourages investor sentiment in the Canadian Dollar. • Sellers look to later US Retail Sales, Empire State Index, and FOMC meeting for new directional signals in the USD/CAD. The USD/CAD currency pair is currently driven by the larger economic and geopolitical forces dictating the world financial environment. One of the major drivers is the increasing prices of crude oil, which have a direct positive impact on the Canadian economy given its position as a significant oil exporter. The recent increase in oil prices, driven by increased tensions in the Red Sea, has made the Canadian Dollar stronger. Moreover, the positive news from the last US-Canada trade talks has provided a good support for the Loonie, and market sentiment has been enhanced with renewed faith in Canada’s economic prospects. USD/CAD Daily Price Chart Chart Source: TradingView Conversely, the US Dollar is being pressed as expectations grow for the Federal Reserve to take a dovish approach in the following months. Weaker inflation data, slowing signs in the labor market, and expectations for two interest cuts by 2025 have all fed into the weakening USD prognosis. Additionally, renewed fears that the US trade policy will somehow impact the American economy have put even more hesitation. As the traders look forward, the future US economic releases and the policy decisions of the Federal Reserve will have a significant role to play in determining the bigger picture for both currencies. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS USD/CAD currency pair is consolidating in the vicinity of the lower side of its short-term trading band, reflecting a risk-averse market mood. The 1.4350 level is being used as an important support zone, and an unambiguous breach below here can lead the way for more selling. To the upside, recovery efforts will confront resistance at about the mid-1.4400s where selling can get re-instated. The duo’s failure to hold on to a firm upward push is a reflection of the underlying bearish sentiment, with traders still watching price action closely for possible breakout or breakdown cues in the sessions ahead. FORECAST If the USD is able to recover its strength, fueled by better-than-anticipated economic reports or a less dovish Federal Reserve in the next FOMC meeting, USD/CAD may try to recover. A move above the near-term resistance around the mid-1.4400s may fuel further upside action, possibly drawing in new buying interest. If that happens, the pair may target higher levels in the near term, particularly if oil prices stabilize or decline modestly. Conversely, if bearish pressure against the US Dollar persists as more rate cuts and dismal economic indicators are anticipated, USD/CAD could fall further. If the price goes below the 1.4350 support level for an extended period, selling momentum could be triggered once more, directing the pair lower towards further support levels. Moreover, if oil prices keep rising due to geopolitical tensions, the Canadian Dollar might gain further, which could hasten the downside risk for USD/CAD.