TechnoMeter

The Canadian Dollar rate has fallen across the board after a cautious Bank of Canada aligned with multiple factors that could put further pressure on the CAD. Despite sharp gains last Friday in CAD due to impressive employment gains, the Canadian Dollar rate fell below 1.28 to the USD.



Key drivers of Canadian Dollar weakness in global markets a day after the Bank of Canada left rates unchanged were commodities selling off led by metals like Gold and Copper and the spread between US Treasury 2 year yields and CA 2 year yields widened showing the market believes tightening in the coming years will favor the Federal Reserve. While small on absolute terms, the U.S.-Canada 2-year sovereign rate spread widened to32bps vs. 26bpsbefore Wednesday’s BOC rate decision showing a market forces favor USD for now.

Another persistent concern among Canadian Dollar rate traders are deteriorating NAFTA negotiations, which prompted Prime Minister Trudeau to suggest a Canada-U.S trade deal remains possible if NAFTA fails.
Only a breakdown below 1.2650 on a closing basis for USD/CAD would adjust the bullish forecast.

Retail trader data shows 45.1% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.22 to 1. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests USDCAD prices may continue to rise.

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