Investing.com -The U.S. dollar climbed to an almost three-week high against the Canadian dollar on Friday, as uncertainty surrounding talks between U.S. lawmakers to avoid the looming fiscal cliff crisis enhanced the safe haven appeal of the greenback.
USD/CAD hit 0.9952 on Friday, the pair’s highest since December 4; the pair subsequently consolidated at 0.9930 by close of trade on Friday, 0.77% higher for the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.9871, Friday’s low and short-term resistance at 0.9953, the high of December 4.
The dollar strengthened broadly on Friday as investors continued to monitor developments surrounding the fiscal cliff in the U.S., approximately USD600 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts due to come into effect on January 1.
Doubts over whether a deal will be reached ahead of the year-end intensified late Thursday after House Speaker John Boehner pulled his so-called “Plan B” fiscal cliff option, which called for tax increases only on Americans earning USD1 million or more per year, because his Republican colleagues did not support the legislation.
The U.S. House has adjourned for the Christmas holiday, fueling speculation that policymakers will not be able to avert the fiscal cliff. Without a deal, the U.S. could fall back into recession and drag much of the world down with it.
On the data front, the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index slumped unexpectedly to a five-month low in December, possibly due to fears the U.S. will careen over the fiscal cliff.
The index dipped to 72.9 for December from 74.5 the previous month, missing analysts' call for an improvement to 74.7 this month.
Also Friday, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that core durable goods orders, which exclude transportation items, rose 1.6% in November, defying expectations for a 0.2% decline.
Total durable goods orders rose by 0.7% last month, outpacing consensus forecasts for a 0.2% increase.
A separate Commerce Department report revealed that personal spending in the U.S. rose by 0.4% in November, beating expectations for a 0.3% rise.
Meanwhile, in Canada, official data showed that Canada’s economy expanded by 0.1% in October, broadly in line with market expectations, after recording no growth in the preceding month.
Year-over-year, Canada’s economy expanded by 1.1% in October, missing expectations for growth of 1.2%.
A separate report showed that core consumer price inflation, which excludes the eight most volatile items, was flat in November, below expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a 0.3% rise the previous month.
Consumer price inflation eased down 0.2% last month, compared to expectations for a 0.1% decline after a 0.2% increase in October.
In the week ahead trading volumes are expected to remain light because many traders have closed books to lock in profit before the end of the year, reducing liquidity in the market and increasing the volatility.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to release key reports on consumer confidence, jobless claims and home sales.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, December 24
U.S. equity markets will close early at 13:30EST (18:30 GMT) for the Christmas Eve holiday.
Tuesday, December 25
Markets in the U.S. and Canada will remain closed in observance of the Christmas Day holiday.
Wednesday, December 26
Markets in Canada will remain closed for the Boxing Day holiday.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to publish industry data on house price inflation, a leading indicator of demand in the housing market. The U.S. is also to release data on manufacturing activity in Richmond.
Thursday, December 27
The U.S. is to publish its weekly government report on initial jobless claims, as well as data on new home sales and consumer confidence.
Friday, December 28
The U.S. is to round up the week with data on pending home sales, as well as a report on business conditions in the Chicago area, a leading indicator of economic health. The country is also to release official data on crude oil stockpiles and natural gas inventories.
USD/CAD hit 0.9952 on Friday, the pair’s highest since December 4; the pair subsequently consolidated at 0.9930 by close of trade on Friday, 0.77% higher for the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.9871, Friday’s low and short-term resistance at 0.9953, the high of December 4.
The dollar strengthened broadly on Friday as investors continued to monitor developments surrounding the fiscal cliff in the U.S., approximately USD600 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts due to come into effect on January 1.
Doubts over whether a deal will be reached ahead of the year-end intensified late Thursday after House Speaker John Boehner pulled his so-called “Plan B” fiscal cliff option, which called for tax increases only on Americans earning USD1 million or more per year, because his Republican colleagues did not support the legislation.
The U.S. House has adjourned for the Christmas holiday, fueling speculation that policymakers will not be able to avert the fiscal cliff. Without a deal, the U.S. could fall back into recession and drag much of the world down with it.
On the data front, the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index slumped unexpectedly to a five-month low in December, possibly due to fears the U.S. will careen over the fiscal cliff.
The index dipped to 72.9 for December from 74.5 the previous month, missing analysts' call for an improvement to 74.7 this month.
Also Friday, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that core durable goods orders, which exclude transportation items, rose 1.6% in November, defying expectations for a 0.2% decline.
Total durable goods orders rose by 0.7% last month, outpacing consensus forecasts for a 0.2% increase.
A separate Commerce Department report revealed that personal spending in the U.S. rose by 0.4% in November, beating expectations for a 0.3% rise.
Meanwhile, in Canada, official data showed that Canada’s economy expanded by 0.1% in October, broadly in line with market expectations, after recording no growth in the preceding month.
Year-over-year, Canada’s economy expanded by 1.1% in October, missing expectations for growth of 1.2%.
A separate report showed that core consumer price inflation, which excludes the eight most volatile items, was flat in November, below expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a 0.3% rise the previous month.
Consumer price inflation eased down 0.2% last month, compared to expectations for a 0.1% decline after a 0.2% increase in October.
In the week ahead trading volumes are expected to remain light because many traders have closed books to lock in profit before the end of the year, reducing liquidity in the market and increasing the volatility.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to release key reports on consumer confidence, jobless claims and home sales.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, December 24
U.S. equity markets will close early at 13:30EST (18:30 GMT) for the Christmas Eve holiday.
Tuesday, December 25
Markets in the U.S. and Canada will remain closed in observance of the Christmas Day holiday.
Wednesday, December 26
Markets in Canada will remain closed for the Boxing Day holiday.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to publish industry data on house price inflation, a leading indicator of demand in the housing market. The U.S. is also to release data on manufacturing activity in Richmond.
Thursday, December 27
The U.S. is to publish its weekly government report on initial jobless claims, as well as data on new home sales and consumer confidence.
Friday, December 28
The U.S. is to round up the week with data on pending home sales, as well as a report on business conditions in the Chicago area, a leading indicator of economic health. The country is also to release official data on crude oil stockpiles and natural gas inventories.