USD/CAD Dips Below 1.3650 Ahead of FOMC Minutes

The USD/CAD currency pair declined to 1.3640 as the U.S. Dollar experienced a period of consolidation during the early European session on Wednesday. Despite softer Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figures, which might suggest an upcoming interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the pair continued its downward trajectory. Market participants are now looking forward to the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes and a speech by Federal Reserve Governor Austan Goolsbee later today, which could provide further insights into future monetary policies.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada released data showing a deceleration in inflation for April, with the annual CPI growth rate cooling to 2.7%, down from 2.9% in March, aligning with market predictions. The month-over-month increase in CPI also moderated, rising by 0.5% in April compared to 0.6% in the prior month. Notably, the BoC’s core CPI, which excludes the volatile components of the full index, increased by only 1.6% year-over-year in April, a reduction from the 2% rise observed in March.

This slowdown in inflation has fueled speculation among traders that the BoC could initiate a rate cut as early as its next meeting in June. The probability of a rate cut on June 5 surged to nearly 55%, up significantly from 39% before the inflation data was released. This shift in expectations is largely due to the easing inflation, suggesting less pressure on the BoC to maintain higher interest rates.

The trajectory of interest rate adjustments by the BoC, coupled with anticipated actions from the U.S. Federal Reserve, could place downward pressure on the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and potentially support the USD/CAD pair moving forward. Fed officials have expressed a cautious approach to adjusting policy rates, indicating a preference to wait for more conclusive data that confirms a sustained movement towards the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic emphasized the need for prudence in making the first-rate move to avoid triggering instability in inflation rates. Similarly, Fed Governor Christopher Waller pointed out the necessity of observing several more months of favorable inflation data before considering a reduction in borrowing costs.

As the market awaits the FOMC Minutes and Fed speeches, the future movements of USD/CAD will likely hinge on indications of both central banks’ strategies concerning interest rate paths, especially in light of the current economic data. The forthcoming Fed communications could either validate the market’s current expectations or introduce new dynamics influencing the currency pair.