Canadian Dollar Slides Deep Against USD and EUR

The Canadian dollar continued to lose ground, falling to slightly around 1.380 (USD/CAD). The most recent decline was caused by a 1.1 basis point increase in the yield on Canadian government 10-year bonds, to 4.024%. Following the Bank of Canada’s most recent decision to keep interest rates on hold, investors increased their wagers that the tightening campaign is over, and as a result, the value of the Canadian dollar fell to a seven-month low vs the U.S. dollar on Wednesday.

Money

As anticipated, the Bank of Canada decided to maintain its main overnight rate at a 22-year high of 5.0% for a second consecutive meeting. It stated that there was now less chance of a recession, but it still left the door open for more rate increases to control inflation, which might rise over goal for an additional two years.

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The exchange rate between the Canadian dollar (CAD) and other major currencies, such as the American dollar (USD) and the euro (EUR), can have various implications for different sectors in Canada. Here’s how different groups can be affected:

Winners:

Exporters: When the Canadian dollar weakens against the US dollar and the euro, Canadian goods and services become more affordable for buyers in the United States and Eurozone countries. This makes Canadian exports more competitive, potentially boosting sales of Canadian products abroad. Export-oriented industries, such as manufacturing, agriculture,

Tourism Industry: A weaker Canadian dollar can attract more international tourists to Canada, as their money will have higher purchasing power. This can benefit businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including hotels, restaurants, and tour operators, leading to increased revenues.

Commodity Producers: Canada is a major exporter of commodities like oil, natural gas, and minerals. The prices of these commodities are often denominated in US dollars. When the Canadian dollar weakens against the US dollar, revenues for Canadian commodity producers can increase when converted back to Canadian dollars.

Investors Holding Foreign Assets: Canadian investors who have holdings denominated in US dollars or euros may see an increase in the value of their investments when converted to Canadian dollars during periods of CAD depreciation.

Canadian made goods
Goods made in Canada

Losers:

Importers: Canadian businesses that rely on importing goods and services from the United States and Eurozone countries may face increased costs when the Canadian dollar weakens. This can lead to higher prices for imported products, potentially impacting profit margins for businesses and leading to increased costs for consumers.

Travelers: Canadians traveling to the United States or Eurozone countries will find their purchasing power reduced if the Canadian dollar is weak compared to the US dollar and euro. This can result in higher travel expenses, including accommodation, dining, and entertainment costs.

Inflation: A weaker Canadian dollar can contribute to inflationary pressures. Imported goods and services become more expensive, potentially leading to overall price increases in the domestic economy.

Foreign Investors in Canadian Assets: Foreign investors holding Canadian assets may see a decrease in the value of their investments when converted back to their home currencies during periods of CAD depreciation.

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The BoC’s most recent monetary policy decision is not receiving much attention on the gold market. Geopolitical uncertainty continues to be a strong support for the precious metal as it mostly has life on it’s own.

At $2,728.77 an ounce, spot gold prices against the Canadian dollar were up over 1% for the day.

It’s important to note that currency exchange rates are influenced by a complex interplay of economic, political, and market factors. As a result, the impact on different sectors and individuals can vary based on the specific circumstances at any given time. Businesses and individuals often use various financial strategies, such as hedging, to manage their exposure to currency fluctuations and mitigate potential risks.

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