Investing.com – Last week the Canadian dollar rallied to a three-and-a-half-year high against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, before trimming gains slightly, fuelled by rising prices for oil and other commodities and strong domestic economic growth.
USD/CAD hit 0.9525 on Friday, the pair’s lowest since mid-November 2007; the pair subsequently consolidated at 0.9551 by close of trade on Friday, tumbling 0.87% over the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.9252, the low of November 9, 2007 and resistance at 0.9623, last Thursday’s high.
On Friday, crude futures topped USD112 a barrel for the first time in two-and-a-half years, as signs of a stalemate in Libya and concerns that violence in other oil-producing nations could further curtail global supplies.
Also Friday, official data showed that Canada unexpectedly lost jobs in March for the first time in six months as a record drop in part-time work outstripped the biggest gain in full-time positions in a year.
However, Canada’s dollar remained higher after the report as investors focused on the 90,600 gain in full-time work, which was the biggest since September 2009. The increase almost offset the 92,100 drop in part-time employment. The unemployment rate declined to 7.7% from 7.8%, in line with expectations.
Meanwhile, the greenback remained under pressure as the White House and Congress attempted to break a U.S. budget deadlock in order to avoid a government shutdown.
In the week ahead, investors will be looking towards March U.S. retail sales data to gauge the strength of consumer spending, as well as U.S. data on consumer and producer price inflation.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, April 11
In the U.S., the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans is to speak; his comments will be closely watched for any clues to the future possible direction of monetary policy. Also Monday, Federal Reserve Governor Janet Yellen is to speak.
Tuesday, April 12
The U.S. is to release government data on its trade balance, the difference in value between imported and exported goods and services, as well as a report on import prices, an important indicator of inflation. The U.S. is also to publish monthly data on the federal budget balance.
Also Tuesday, the Bank of Canada is to announce its overnight rate. The announcement is to be followed by the bank’s rate statement, which contains commentary on the economic conditions that influenced the interest rate decision. Canada is also to publish government data on its trade balance and new home prices.
Wednesday, April 13
The Bank of Canada is to publish it monetary policy report, which provides valuable insights into the bank's view of economic conditions and inflation. The bank will also hold a press conference to discuss the report.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to publish government data on retail sales, the primary gauge of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity. The country is also to publish official data on business inventories and crude oil stockpiles while the Federal Reserve is to publish its Beige Book.
The data on U.S. crude oil stockpiles can be a big market mover for the Canadian dollar, due to the large volume of Canadian oil exports.
Thursday, April 14
The U.S. is to publish official data on producer price inflation, a leading indicator of consumer inflation. The country is also to publish its weekly report on initial jobless claims, an important signal of overall economic health.
Also Thursday, Canada is to release official data on manufacturing sales, a leading indicator of economic health, as well as a report on new vehicle sales.
Friday, April 15
The U.S. is to publish official data on consumer price inflation, which accounts for a majority of overall inflation. In addition, the U.S. is to publish official data on industrial production and the capacity utilization rate, while the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is to publish its manufacturing index. The U.S. is also to publish a report on the balance of domestic and foreign investment, while the University of Michigan is to publish preliminary data on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.
USD/CAD hit 0.9525 on Friday, the pair’s lowest since mid-November 2007; the pair subsequently consolidated at 0.9551 by close of trade on Friday, tumbling 0.87% over the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.9252, the low of November 9, 2007 and resistance at 0.9623, last Thursday’s high.
On Friday, crude futures topped USD112 a barrel for the first time in two-and-a-half years, as signs of a stalemate in Libya and concerns that violence in other oil-producing nations could further curtail global supplies.
Also Friday, official data showed that Canada unexpectedly lost jobs in March for the first time in six months as a record drop in part-time work outstripped the biggest gain in full-time positions in a year.
However, Canada’s dollar remained higher after the report as investors focused on the 90,600 gain in full-time work, which was the biggest since September 2009. The increase almost offset the 92,100 drop in part-time employment. The unemployment rate declined to 7.7% from 7.8%, in line with expectations.
Meanwhile, the greenback remained under pressure as the White House and Congress attempted to break a U.S. budget deadlock in order to avoid a government shutdown.
In the week ahead, investors will be looking towards March U.S. retail sales data to gauge the strength of consumer spending, as well as U.S. data on consumer and producer price inflation.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, April 11
In the U.S., the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans is to speak; his comments will be closely watched for any clues to the future possible direction of monetary policy. Also Monday, Federal Reserve Governor Janet Yellen is to speak.
Tuesday, April 12
The U.S. is to release government data on its trade balance, the difference in value between imported and exported goods and services, as well as a report on import prices, an important indicator of inflation. The U.S. is also to publish monthly data on the federal budget balance.
Also Tuesday, the Bank of Canada is to announce its overnight rate. The announcement is to be followed by the bank’s rate statement, which contains commentary on the economic conditions that influenced the interest rate decision. Canada is also to publish government data on its trade balance and new home prices.
Wednesday, April 13
The Bank of Canada is to publish it monetary policy report, which provides valuable insights into the bank's view of economic conditions and inflation. The bank will also hold a press conference to discuss the report.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to publish government data on retail sales, the primary gauge of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity. The country is also to publish official data on business inventories and crude oil stockpiles while the Federal Reserve is to publish its Beige Book.
The data on U.S. crude oil stockpiles can be a big market mover for the Canadian dollar, due to the large volume of Canadian oil exports.
Thursday, April 14
The U.S. is to publish official data on producer price inflation, a leading indicator of consumer inflation. The country is also to publish its weekly report on initial jobless claims, an important signal of overall economic health.
Also Thursday, Canada is to release official data on manufacturing sales, a leading indicator of economic health, as well as a report on new vehicle sales.
Friday, April 15
The U.S. is to publish official data on consumer price inflation, which accounts for a majority of overall inflation. In addition, the U.S. is to publish official data on industrial production and the capacity utilization rate, while the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is to publish its manufacturing index. The U.S. is also to publish a report on the balance of domestic and foreign investment, while the University of Michigan is to publish preliminary data on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.