Once again the Canadian Dollar is firming versus the USD, challenging parity with the greenback.
Looking at the chart (below) there is a distinct channel starting from June 4th when the USD made a high of 1.0445 versus the loonie. From initiation of the channel we have a succession of C$ highs followed by spikes of USD strength. Clearly there is a pattern C$ strength, but once again we have approached parity, where there should be resistance.
The lengthy US/Canadian border and the North American free trade agreement has encouraged the big trade between the two countries. According to a recent Fact Sheet from the US State Department, there is a daily trade of $1.6B. Each day 300,000 people cross the Canadian/US border. The two countries supply electricity to each other, sharing a huge electrical grid. The US buys 70% of Canadian exports. The US is the largest investor in Canada, and Canada is the fifth largest investor in the US. Economically the two countries are bonded together.
Like many of the world's economies, the Canadian economy has been slowing. A recent report showed the Canadian economy had GDP growth on a m/m basis of only a plus 0.1% down from 0.3% in the prior month. This will cut the yearly Canadian growth to around 1.5%, respectable but not enough to cut the 7.2% unemployment rate.
The Canadian economy, according to most 2011 statistics, with a GDP of $1,737T, ranks tenth in the world, ahead of India, but behind Russia. Since the beginning of 2012, exports from Canada have been slowing, and the strong loonie may be one of the reasons.
For years Canadian manufacturers benefitted from their discounted currency, and the discounted currency resulted in many US companies moving facilities to Canada. Auto manufacturers moved into Canada and took with it the elevated wages of the United Auto Workers.
The North American Free Trade Agreement may have helped Canada, but not the Ontario auto workers. For 2011 Canada produced 2,134,893 vehicles, up 3.2%, but Mexico had a 14.4% increase in production, and produced 2,680,037 cars and trucks. With new plants coming on stream in Mexico as well as the non union southern part of the US, this trend continues. The days of ample $30/hr manufacturing jobs in Ontario may be ending.
Offsetting the decline in manufacturing activity in Canada has been mining, and oil and gas extraction. While this segment of the economy has been bright, prices have been soft. The US was formerly a busy buyer of Canadian gas, but because of the energy revolution in the US, gas prices are lower and the US has a natural gas surplus.
Oil demand from the US remains good, making a market for the oil sands production in Alberta. This is heavy oil which trades at a discount, far away from refineries, and requiring big transportation costs. Today for example, the spot West Texas Intermediate is trading at 88.42. The oil sands crude trades at a discount, at times, over $20/barrel. In June it traded as low as $40/ barrel. No wonder the Canadians want the Keystone pipeline to be constructed.
Global economic news does not favor expanding or robust economies. Until that reverses we doubt the C$ has much more to gain on the USD. Further, should the Chinese or European difficulties worsen, what are the chances energy prices could sell off. The end of the North American peak driving season often signals lower energy prices.
We prefer the short side of the C$ versus the USD at these levels, risking 75 points. Should we get a perfect storm, poor economic numbers and deleveraging in the oil futures, this pair could trade at 1.04.
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, or other information contained in this post are provided as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice from CashBackForex.com.
Looking at the chart (below) there is a distinct channel starting from June 4th when the USD made a high of 1.0445 versus the loonie. From initiation of the channel we have a succession of C$ highs followed by spikes of USD strength. Clearly there is a pattern C$ strength, but once again we have approached parity, where there should be resistance.
The lengthy US/Canadian border and the North American free trade agreement has encouraged the big trade between the two countries. According to a recent Fact Sheet from the US State Department, there is a daily trade of $1.6B. Each day 300,000 people cross the Canadian/US border. The two countries supply electricity to each other, sharing a huge electrical grid. The US buys 70% of Canadian exports. The US is the largest investor in Canada, and Canada is the fifth largest investor in the US. Economically the two countries are bonded together.
Like many of the world's economies, the Canadian economy has been slowing. A recent report showed the Canadian economy had GDP growth on a m/m basis of only a plus 0.1% down from 0.3% in the prior month. This will cut the yearly Canadian growth to around 1.5%, respectable but not enough to cut the 7.2% unemployment rate.
The Canadian economy, according to most 2011 statistics, with a GDP of $1,737T, ranks tenth in the world, ahead of India, but behind Russia. Since the beginning of 2012, exports from Canada have been slowing, and the strong loonie may be one of the reasons.
For years Canadian manufacturers benefitted from their discounted currency, and the discounted currency resulted in many US companies moving facilities to Canada. Auto manufacturers moved into Canada and took with it the elevated wages of the United Auto Workers.
The North American Free Trade Agreement may have helped Canada, but not the Ontario auto workers. For 2011 Canada produced 2,134,893 vehicles, up 3.2%, but Mexico had a 14.4% increase in production, and produced 2,680,037 cars and trucks. With new plants coming on stream in Mexico as well as the non union southern part of the US, this trend continues. The days of ample $30/hr manufacturing jobs in Ontario may be ending.
Offsetting the decline in manufacturing activity in Canada has been mining, and oil and gas extraction. While this segment of the economy has been bright, prices have been soft. The US was formerly a busy buyer of Canadian gas, but because of the energy revolution in the US, gas prices are lower and the US has a natural gas surplus.
Oil demand from the US remains good, making a market for the oil sands production in Alberta. This is heavy oil which trades at a discount, far away from refineries, and requiring big transportation costs. Today for example, the spot West Texas Intermediate is trading at 88.42. The oil sands crude trades at a discount, at times, over $20/barrel. In June it traded as low as $40/ barrel. No wonder the Canadians want the Keystone pipeline to be constructed.
Global economic news does not favor expanding or robust economies. Until that reverses we doubt the C$ has much more to gain on the USD. Further, should the Chinese or European difficulties worsen, what are the chances energy prices could sell off. The end of the North American peak driving season often signals lower energy prices.
We prefer the short side of the C$ versus the USD at these levels, risking 75 points. Should we get a perfect storm, poor economic numbers and deleveraging in the oil futures, this pair could trade at 1.04.
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, or other information contained in this post are provided as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice from CashBackForex.com.
