USD/CAD Breaks Above 1.30 as Lower Commodity Prices Crush Loonie

The USD touched 10 year highs versus the CAD after commodity prices were hit by the disappointing Chinese PMI survey results. A supply glut in crude and lower demand have pushed prices below $50 and put the Canadian economy in a quagmire. The Bank of Canada was forced to cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points on July 17 and there is growing expectation that the U.S. Federal Reserve will finally raise interest rates before the end of 2015. The three factors continue to push the USD/CAD higher leading into next week where the Fed will publish its FOMC announcement.

The loonie has lost almost 23 percent since touching parity in 2013. The drop in oil prices has forced the Bank of Canada into an alternative strategy to give exporters an edge via currency depreciation. It is a long shot given the lost manufacturing base in the past 10 years as the industry moved off shore. Services are leading the gains in exports, but they face higher global competition. The Canadian economy is trying to shake off a mild recession and it has the risk of being left behind of the U.S. economy can hit a sustainable pace of growth.

The USD/CAD has broken the psychological level of 1.30 and will get limited support from oil prices next week. A hawkish FOMC with further global commodity demand weakness could push the CAD lower as there will be very limited economic indicator releases next week that could make the case for a strong loonie.

CAD events to watch this week:

Friday, July 31
8:30am CAD GDP m/m

*All times EDT
For a complete list of scheduled events in the forex market visit the MarketPulse Economic Calendar

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