USDCAD potential for bounce! | 16th March 2022Prices are on bullish momentum. We see the potential for a bounce from our buy entry at 1.27415 in line with 61.8% Fibonacci Projection. Prices are trading above our ichimoku cloud support, further supporting our bullish view. RSI is at levels where bounces previously occurred.
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Usd-cad
USDCAD potential for further uptrend | 14th MarchPrice is near buy entry level of 1.25907 in line with 100% Fibonacci projection and 61.8% Fibonacci retracement . Price can potentially bounce to the take profit level of 1.29648 which is also the previous graphical swing high. Our bullish bias is supported by the ichimoku cloud indicator as price is trading above it.
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, FXCM takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interest arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the FXCM's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed on the website.
USD CAD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSUSD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Monetary Policy
The Jan FOMC decision was hawkish on multiple fronts. The statement signalled a March hike as expected, but Chair Powell portrayed a very hawkish tone. Even though Powell said they can’t predict the rate path with certainty, he stressed the economy is in much better shape compared to the 2015 cycle and that will have implications for the pace of hikes (more and faster). Furthermore, he explained that there is ‘quite a bit of room’ to raise rates without damaging employment, which suggests upside risks to the rate path. A big question going into the meeting was how concerned the Fed was about recent equity market volatility. But the Chair explained that markets and financial conditions are reflecting policy changes in advance and that in aggregate the measures they look at isn’t showing red lights. Thus, any ‘Fed Put’ is much further away and inflation is the Fed’s biggest concern right now. The Chair also didn’t rule out the possibility of a 50bsp hike in March or possibly hiking at every meeting this year, which was hawkish as it means the Fed wants optionality to move more aggressive if they need to. We didn’t get new info on the balance sheet and Powell reiterated that they’re contemplating a start of QT after hiking has begun and they’ll discuss this in coming meetings. Overall, the tone and language were a lot more hawkish than the Dec meeting and more hawkish than consensus was expecting.
2. Global & Domestic Economy
As the reserve currency, the USD’s global usage means it’s usually inversely correlated to the global economy and global trade. The USD usually appreciates when growth & inflation slow (disinflation) and depreciates when growth & inflation accelerates (reflation). Thus, current expectations of a cyclical slowdown (and possible stagflation) are good for the Dollar. Incoming data will be watched in relation to the ‘Fed Put’ as there are many similarities between now and 4Q18, where the Fed were also tightening into a slowdown. If growth data slows and the Fed stays hawkish it’s a positive for the USD, once the Fed pivots dovish that’ll be a negative for the USD.
3. CFTC Analysis
The USD remains a net-long across major participants, but with price action looking stretched and with peak hawkishness for the Fed arguably close with >6 hikes priced, the risk to reward of chasing USD strength is not very attractive right now. Continued stagflation and geopolitical risks it mean that stretched positioning might not be as important as usual. JP Morgan also shared some stats that suggest the USD has a historical tendency to strengthen in the 6 months going into a first hike but then to weaken during the 6 months directly after a first hike. This is an interesting phenomenon which is worth keeping in mind given the USD’s recent performance.
4. The Week Ahead
The week ahead for the USD will be dominated by ongoing geopolitical tensions as well as the incoming FOMC meeting. On the geopolitical front, escalation and de-escalation will affect safe haven flows which means it will remain an important driver for the USD, especially with rising commodity prices also stoking growing fears of stagflation. On the FOMC side, a 25bsp hike is fully priced, but markets still have a lot to think about as the March meeting will be accompanied by an updated Summary of Economic Projections, where the markets want to see how the dots have changed (previous meeting showed 3 hikes for 2022). STIR markets currently priced in close to 7 hikes, so anything below 5 ought to be seen as dovish. During his recent testimony, Powell said that markets have responded to their guidance with good transmission and have priced in a much higher tightening path, so
if their tone and comments alone have done so much heavy lifting there isn’t much reason for them to suddenly ease off on that. It’s true that the Ukraine/Russia war does add uncertainty, but with the US economy and financial sector far less exposed to Russia compared to Europe, the biggest ‘risk’ from the geopolitical situation is higher commodity prices that feeds into higher inflation expectations. Thus, even though the war adds uncertainty (and the Fed is likely going to say that it does) there is very little reason for them to ease off right now, especially with political pressures building going into the mid-terms. But won’t the Fed be concerned with asset markets by coming across even more hawkish? Despite growth concerns, a war in Europe, global sanctions, additional commodity supply shocks and expectations for 6 Fed hikes and QT, if the S&P is down less than 14% with all of that going on it means that any ‘Fed put’ is probably much further away and no need for the bank to change their tone just yet. How far a hawkish Fed can push long-end yields and the USD is up for debate though.
CAD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL
1. Monetary Policy
The BoC did not surprise at their March meeting by hiking rates to 0.50% from 0.25% and continuing the reinvestment phase regarding asset purchases. The bank noted that the Russia/Ukraine war was a new major uncertainty for the economy and that as a result inflation is now expected to be higher in the near-term. They were optimistic about the growth outlook though and reiterated that it expects further interest rate rises will be needed. On the QT side, Gov Macklem noted that around 40% of the bank's bond holdings were due to mature within two years, and suggested that balance sheet could shrink quickly, and also added that they will
discuss ending the reinvestment phase and starting QT at the April meeting. The Governor also said he didn’t rule out the potential for 50bsp rate rises as oil is putting upside pressure on oil, noting that oil prices around $110 per barrel could add another percentage point to inflation. With markets implying close to another 5 hikes this year, we remain cautious on the currency as a slowing US and Canadian economy means the bank should struggle to maintain it’s current hawkish path in the weeks and months ahead.
2. Intermarket Analysis Considerations
Oil’s massive post-covid recovery has been impressive, driven by various factors such as supply & demand (OPEC’s production cuts), strong global demand recovery, and of course ‘higher for longer’ than expected inflation. The geopolitical crisis the world is facing right now have opened up a big push higher in WTI, trading at levels last seen since 2008 last week. With oil prices at these levels the risk to demand destruction and stagflation is higher than ever and means we remain cautious oil in the med-term. Reason for that view is: Synchronised policy tightening from DM central banks targeting demand, slowing growth and inflation, a consensus that is very long oil (growing calls for $100 WTI), very steep backwardation futures curve which usually sees negative forward returns, heightened implied volatility. However, recent geopolitical risks have been a key focus point for oil and means escalation and de-escalation will be important to watch.
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the CAD usually benefits from overall positive risk sentiment as well as environments that benefit pro-cyclical assets. Thus, both short-term (immediate) and med-term (underlying) risk sentiment will always be a key consideration for the CAD.
4. CFTC Analysis
We think the recent price action and positioning data has seen the CAD take a very similar path compared to April and Oct 2021 where markets were way too aggressive and optimistic to price in upside for the CAD, only to then see majority of it unwind. However, oil prices remain in focus as a key intermarket driver.
5. The Week Ahead
Markets might once more be getting too bullish on the CAD at the wrong time. The CAD, which has not really been benefiting from the big rise in energy prices, saw quite a jolt higher on Friday after the recent jobs report. At face value it was a good print, but under the hood it there was some negatives. Firstly, even though the headline printed above max expectations, the bulk of the gains were part-time jobs. Furthermore, if we account for last month’s contraction, full-time employment only grew by 40K. This week the calendar has CPI data, where another surprise upside print is expected by some to see an even more hawkish BoC. However, with over 6 hikes once again embedded and priced in STIR markets, and with WTI prices started to show some signs of a slowdown in bullish momentum, the odds are arguably tilted towards a more dovish as opposed to more hawkish BoC in the months ahead. However, the short-term could see further strength in the case of a beat, but we will use any additional upside in the CAD to look for selling opportunities.
USDCAD potential for further uptrend | 14th MarchPrice is near buy entry level of 1.25907 in line with 100% Fibonacci projection and 61.8% Fibonacci retracement. Price can potentially bounce to the take profit level of 1.29648 which is also the previous graphical swing high. Our bullish bias is supported by the ichimoku cloud indicator as price is trading above it.
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, FXCM takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interest arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the FXCM's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed on the website.
USDCAD potential for bounce | 11th MarchPrice is near buy entry level of 1.27499 in line with 50% Fibonacci retracement and 61.8% Fibonacci projection . Price can potentially bounce to the take profit level of 1.28806 which is also the graphical swing high. Our bullish bias is supported by the stochastic indicator as it is near support level .
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, FXCM takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interest arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the FXCM's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed on the website.
USDCAD potential for bounce | 11th MarchPrice is near buy entry level of 1.27499 in line with 50% Fibonacci retracement and 61.8% Fibonacci projection. Price can potentially bounce to the take profit level of 1.28806 which is also the graphical swing high. Our bullish bias is supported by the stochastic indicator as it is near support level.
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, FXCM takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interest arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the FXCM's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed on the website.
USDCAD Sell IdeaUSDCAD has had an impulse move to the upside on the back of the NFP data. It does seem like the momentum has started to slow down as the price has approached the 1.2750 zone. The RSI levels on the 30m and 1HR time frame show oversold levels as well which adds to our in-house short-term view. The target of this trade is located near the 1.27 level with the stop just above the recent high of 1.285 to mitigate losses.
Bearish Setup on USD/CADUSD/CAD has been on a very tight bearish trend since she broke below the 1.2675-60 support zone, and with Tuesday's bearish rejection, which successfully push the price back to retesting the diagonal resistance area at 1.2675, which stood as the Quasi-support zone for the buyers, before its defeat, the sellers could ultimately turn it to decisive support in other to further their downward trend.
Provide, the sellers successfully drag the price downwardly, the next bearish mark would be 1.2560 January support zone, before any further downward movement would be ascertained.
Looking out for a short position below 1.2630 and take profit at 1.2565.
USDCAD, H4 Wednesday’s interest rate decision only constituted a statement, and no new economic forecasts. Market participants will eagerly await Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem’s press conference on Thursday, where he will take questions on the state of the Canadian recovery. At his January press conference, Macklem indicated that higher borrowing costs were “imminent” as the economy had reached full capacity.
Today’s Notable Sentiment ShiftsAUD – The Australian dollar hit a one-year high against the euro on Wednesday as investors were attracted by Australia’s status as a net energy exporter and distance form Europe’s troubles.
Explaining Australia’s improving outlook, RBC Capital Markets notes that “a strong household balance sheet with scope for consumption to move back to its pre-COVID path, backlog of dwelling activity, and recovering confidence underpins our expectation for a strong 2022 and above trend growth.”
CAD – The Canadian dollar rose across the board as the Bank of Canada hiked interest rates for the first time since October 2018 despite recent financial market volatility due to the crisis in Ukraine.
Indeed, Convera Canada ULC noted that “there was a good deal of uncertainty as to how they would respond to the geopolitical events and they stuck to their knitting pretty firmly.” Adding that the BoC’s concern about inflation pressures did a lot “to cement expectations for future interest rate hikes.”
USDCAD Long IdeaUSDCAD has just approached a key support level in which it has seen positive price action before. The RSI levels on the 4hr and 2hr time frame show oversold levels which indicate that there is room for the price to rise from this area. The target of this trade is located near the 1.274 area with the stop-loss just below the 1.260 zone.