- USD/CAD extends the rally to 1.3600 amid the rebound of USD.
- BoC is expected to keep rates steady at 5% for the fifth time in a row.
- The US ISM Services PMI came in at 52.6 in February vs. 53.4 prior, weaker than the expectation of 53.0.
The USD/CAD pair edges higher to nearly 1.3600 during the early Asian trading hours on Wednesday. The Bank of Canada (BoC) will announce the interest rate decision later in the day, with no rate change expected. The pair currently trades near 1.3598, adding 0.03% on the day.
The BoC will release its Monetary Policy Statement on Wednesday, and markets expect the Canadian central bank to keep rates steady at 5% for the fifth time in a row. Financial markets see just a 19% odds of a surprise rate cut on Wednesday at its March Italee policy meeting. Traders will take core cues from the press conference about the economic and inflation outlook.
On the USD’s front, Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Powell’s testimony to the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday will be a closely watched event. The dovish tone from Fed officials might exert some selling pressure on the Greenback and create a headwind for the USD/CAD pair.
About the data, the US February ISM Services PMI declined to 52.6 from 53.4 in January, below the market consensus of 53.0. The New Orders Index improved to 56.1 from 55.0 in the previous reading. The Employment Index dropped to 48.0 versus 50.5 prior, and the Prices Paid Index declined to 58.6 from 64.0 in the previous reading.
Moving on, traders will watch the BoC interest rate decision and the Fed Chair Powell’s testimony on Wednesday. The attention will shift to US labor market data on Friday. The US Nonfarm Payrolls is estimated to add 200,000 jobs in February, while the Unemployment Rate is forecast unchanged at 3.7%.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD retreats to 1.0700 area following post-PCE jump
After spiking to a daily high of 1.0720 with the immediate reaction to US PCE inflation data, EUR/USD lost its traction and declined to the 1.0700 area. Investors remain cautious ahead of this weekend's French election and make it difficult for the Euro to gather strength.
GBP/USD stays below 1.2650 after US inflation data
GBP/USD struggles to preserve its bullish momentum and trades below 1.2650 in the American session on Friday. Earlier in the day, the data from the US showed that the annual core PCE inflation declined to 2.6% in May, limiting the USD's upside and helping the pair hold its ground.
Gold keeps its daily gains near $2,330 following US PCE data
Gold prices maintain their constructive bias around $2,330 after US inflation readings gauged by the PCE matched consensus in May and US yields advance slightly across the curve.
BTC struggles around the $62,000 level
Bitcoin price faces pullback resistance at the lower band of the descending wedge around $62,000. Ethereum price finds support at $3,288, the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level. Ripple price faces resistance at $0.500, its daily resistance level.
French Elections Preview: Euro to suffer after the calm, as specter of extremists, uncertainty rise Premium
The first round of French parliamentary elections is set to trigger high uncertainty. Soothing messages from the far right and far left leave the Euro vulnerable to falls. Calm may return only after the second round of voting on July 7.