The USD/CAD pair rallied to the upside last week, as the U.S. dollar strengthened on mounting fears the European debt crisis is worsening, after the market saw the ECB and the EU summit nothing but a major disappointment and rating agencies continued to add their negative imputes to the abysmal equation..
Over the week, economic data from the United States basically showed better than expected economic progress, where the manufacturing sector activities continued to expand in December, while this week our eyes will be on market movements rather than the data as this is the last week before Christmas and the end of the week and position squaring and closing the books will be evident as traders step aside ahead of the New Year and that will be the main focus.
We need to track the debt sales this week as well with eyes onItaly,France,GreeceandPortugalas the yields and demand will be closely observed. The euro area lacks major fundamentals yet the debt crisis developments and any comments from leaders will be watched and the Italian Senates are expected to follow the lower house of Parliament vote and also okay Monti’s 30 billion austerity package this week.
As for theUnited Statesthe data is heavy housing data alongside the GDP and income report. The data will add to the volatility in the market, especially if the data worsens and adds to fears of slowing global growth yet good data might help in easing the strain on markets that are preparing for the holidays ahead.
The high level of uncertainty in markets could provide the USD/CAD pair with more bullish momentum, where traders will be eyeing developments inItalyandSpain, and accordingly, we should expectEuropeto dominate the pair’s movement next week. Nonetheless, if optimism spreads through markets, the USD/CAD pair will decline, as demand for higher yielding assets is likely to rise in that case, and that should provide the Canadian dollar with flow.
Other news from the euro area and the U.S. economy to affect the pair this week:
Monday December 19:
We don’t have news from theUnited StatesandCanada, and accordingly, traders will be focused on the developments fromEurope.
Tuesday December 20:
TheUnited Stateswill start the day at 13:30 GMT with the November housing starts which are expected with 0.3% rebound to 630 thousand from 628 thousand. Building permits are expected to drop 1.8% to 633 thousand from 653 thousand.
The inflation week continues in theCanadawith the Consumer Price Index for November at 12:00 GMT. The index is expected to ease to 0.1% and on the year to ease to 2.9%. Core CPI is expected to ease to 0.2% and on the year to ease to 2.2%.
Wednesday December 21:
At 13:30 GMT, Canadawill release the retail sales for October, where retail sales are expected rise by 0.5%, while retail sales excluding autos are expected to rise by 0.3%, compared with 0.5% in September.
At 15:00 GMT the US Existing Home Sales for November are due and expected with 2.2% rise to 5.06 million from 4.97 million.
Thursday December 22:
The Untied States will start the busy day at 13:30 GMT with the final and third revision for the third quarter GDP as the expansion is expected unrevised at 2.0%. Personal consumption is expected to hold at 2.3% and the Core PCE to remain at 2.0%.
The Jobless Claims are due the same time after the unexpected huge drop in the past week to 366 the lowest in three and a half years.
TheUniversityofMichigan Confidencefinal estimate for December is due at 14:55 GMT and expected with an upside revision to 68.0 from 67.7.
The leading indicators for November will be released at 13:00 GMT and expected to ease to 0.3% from 0.9%.
Friday December 23:
The week will end with theUnited Statesas well starting with the Durable Goods Orders at 13:30 GMT which is expected with 2.1% rebound in November after 0.7% drop and excluding transportation it’s expected to rise by 0.4% after 0.7% gain.
The November Income Report is also due at 13:30 GMT with the Personal Income expected with 0.3% rise after 0.4% and personal spending expected to rise 0.3% after 0.1% as for the core PCE it is expected to hold at the previous gains with 0.1% rise on the month and 1.7% on the year.
New Home Sales for November will be released at 13:00 GMT which is expected with 2.0% rise after 1.3% gain to 313 thousand.
Canadawill release the GDP report for the month of October at 12:30 GMT, where GDP is expected to rise by 0.1%, compared with 0.2% rise in September.
Originally posted here
