USD/CAD: Wobbly Canadian Dollar Back Above 1.36

 | Dec 27, 2018 08:41

USD/CAD has gained ground in the Thursday session. Currently, the pair is trading at 1.3623, up 0.37% on the day. On the release front, the U.S. releases employment claims, which is expected to rise to 217,000. We’ll also get a look at CB Consumer Confidence, which is forecast to climb to 135.7 points. On Friday, the U.S. publishes Chicago PMI and Pending Home Sales. There are no Canadian releases this week, so U.S. indicators will have a magnified effect on the direction of USD/CAD.

The Canadian dollar has dropped to its lowest level since May 2017, as the currency continues to head south. USD/CAD jumped 1.62 percent last week and has climbed 2.3 percent in December. With global equity markets falling to their lowest level since 2008, high trader apprehension has made the Canadian dollar less attractive, as investors stick with safe-haven assets. A quiet Christmas week could halt the steep slide, but further headwinds await the Canadian dollar in January unless risk appetite improves.

USD/CAD Fundamentals

Thursday (December 27)

  • 8:30 US Unemployment Claims. Estimate 217K
  • 9:00 US HPI. Estimate 0.3%
  • 10:00 US CB Consumer Confidence. Estimate 133.7

Friday (December 28)

  • 9:45 US Chicago PMI. Estimate 61.4
  • 10:00 US Pending Home Sales. Estimate 0.9%

*All release times are EST

*Key events are in bold

USD/CAD for Thursday, December 27, 2018