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Bank of Canada Hikes Interest Rate to 1.50%, CAD Climbs in Response

Bank of Canada Hikes Interest Rate to 1.50%, CAD Climbs in Response

Peter Hanks, Strategist

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Talking Points:

  • The hike was widely expected by economists and is the fourth increase in 12 months
  • The Canadian dollar climbed versus the dollar, erasing some recent losses
  • Trade remains an important topic for the Canadian economy with NAFTA still unresolved, while the US continues to levy tariffs on other nations

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The Bank of Canada expectedly increased their key interest rate by 25bps to 1.50%, marking the fourth rate hike in the last 12-months, which resulted in the Canadian dollar climbing on the news. At the rate decision, BoC officials said they expect “higher interest rates will be warranted to keep inflation near target”, offering some insight on the stance of the bank heading into future rate decisions. Similarly, BoC officials had commented on the ongoing trade war with the US.

As with other monetary policy officials, the BoC shed some light on the impact of trade disputes and tariffs on the economy. The BoC believes US steel tariffs will be felt in the second half of 2018 but could take longer. In conjunction with the effects, they believe GDP will be cut and inflation boosted. As we progress into the third quarter, the steel, aluminum, and proposed auto tariffs will remain a catalyst for movement between the loonie and the dollar.

Stay up to date with important economic data with our Economic Calendar.

A Brief History of Trade Wars

In an immediate reaction to the rate decision, the Canadian dollar rallied against the greenback. The pair dropped from around the 1.3143 level to reach a low near 1.3087. The decline in USDCAD had been curbed, having run into support ahead of 1.3050, which in turn prompted a move back towards 1.3100. Similar price action had also been observed in other major CAD pairs. Elsewhere, NZDCAD had fallen to 0.8882 after the decision but has since rebounded slightly, trading near 0.8908. As the week progresses, economic data from Canada is limited but effects may be felt in the loonie from the release of US CPI and US CPI ex food and energy reports.

Canadian Dollar Related Articles:

  1. Bank of Canada Preview: Dovish Rate Hike to Fuel USD/CAD Rebound – By David Song, Currency Analyst
  2. Canadian Unemployment Disappoints – By Peter Hanks, DailyFX Research
  3. Canadian Dollar Could Be Undermined by Dovish BoC, Trade Spats – By Daniel Dubrovsky, Junior Analyst
  4. US Dollar Drops Back to Lows; USD/CAD Support Bounce After BoC Hike – By James Stanley, Currency Strategist

Chart 1: USD/CAD, 5-Minute July 11

Chart 2: NZD/CAD, 5-Minute July 11

---Written by Peter Hanks, DailyFX Research

DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

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