Skip to content

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

USD/CAD short-term technicals turning bearish

The Canadian dollar has been choppy, but with a breakdown unfolding it appears to be heading for selling in the near term.

Canadian dollar Source: Bloomberg

USD/CAD technical outlook

  • Canadian dollar looking headed higher versus US dollar
  • USD/CAD wedge break on the four-hour time frame

Canadian dollar heading higher versus US dollar

USD/CAD has been a difficult handle as of late, with choppy price action dominating the landscape. The pair has been trading in an upward channel on the daily time frame, which provided a bullish tilt, but that is quickly changing with the break of the underside trendline.

The 200-day moving average (MA) has been running through the past two weeks’ worth of price swings, helping further the notion that a breakout will bring some power as the price gets separation from the long-term average.

USD/CAD daily chart (channel broken, 2012 t-line in focus now)

USD/CAD daily chart Source: TradingView
USD/CAD daily chart Source: TradingView

Dialing in on the four-hour time frame, we can see the ascending wedge breaking. The pattern suggested a bullish break was nearing, but it’s showing now why it is important to wait for a confirmed breakout as the formation could resolve itself lower as it is now.

Tactically speaking, with the underside line broken and $1.3250 giving way, as well look for momentum to potentially take USD/CAD down to the 2012 trendline near $1.3000. It may take a little time to get there, but the path has so far been started. To negate the breakdown, it will take some work on the upside before turning the picture bullish.

USD/CAD four-hour chart (bearish wedge-break)

USD/CAD four-hour chart Source: TradingView
USD/CAD four-hour chart Source: TradingView

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Ltd and IG Markets South Africa Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Start trading forex today

Trade the largest and most volatile financial market in the world.

  • Spreads start at just 0.6 points on EUR/USD
  • Analyse market movements with our essential selection of charts
  • Speculate from a range of platforms, including on mobile

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Monday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.