Yesterday’s trade saw USD/CAD within the range of 1.1225-1.1362. The pair closed at 1.1256, gaining 0.01% on a daily basis.
At 7:04 GMT today USD/CAD was down 0.04% for the day to trade at 1.1252. The pair touched a daily low at 1.1243 at 2:05 GMT.
Fundamentals
United States
Housing starts and Building permits
The number of housing starts in the United States probably increased to 1.004 million in September from the seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.956 million during the prior month. The latter was a 14.4% decrease from the revised July estimate of 1.117 million, or the largest drop since April 2013. Single-family housing starts were at a level of 643 000 in August, or a 2.4% drop compared to the revised July figure of 659 000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 304 000, according to data by the US Census Bureau.
Housing Starts represent a gauge to measure residential units, on which construction has already begun, every month. A start in construction is defined as the foundation laying of a building and it encompasses residential housing primarily.
The number of building permits in the country probably increased to 1.029 million in September from a revised up annual level of 1.003 million in August (0.998 million previously). Single-family authorizations in August were at a rate of 626 000, or 0.8% lower compared to the revised July figure of 631 000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 343 000 in August, according to the Census Bureau.
Building permits are permits, issued in order to allow excavation. An increase in the number of building permits and housing starts usually occurs a few months after mortgage rates in the country have been reduced. Permits usually lead housing starts, but are not required in all regions of the United States. Building permits, as an indicator, provide information regarding demand in US housing market. A higher than anticipated number would support the greenback. The official housing data by the US Census Bureau is due out at 12:30 GMT.
Reuters/Michigan Consumer Confidence
The monthly survey by Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan may show that consumer confidence in the United States slightly worsened in October. The preliminary reading of the corresponding index, which usually comes out two weeks ahead of the final data, probably fell to 84.1 during the current month from a final value of 84.6 in September. The latter has been the highest level since July 2013. The survey encompasses about 500 respondents throughout the country. The index is comprised by two major components, a gauge of current conditions and a gauge of expectations. The current conditions index is based on the answers to two standard questions, while the index of expectations is based on three standard questions. All five questions have an equal weight in determining the value of the overall index.
The sub-index of current economic conditions climbed to a final 98.9 from a preliminary reading of 98.5 in September, after being at 99.8 in August. The latter has been the highest figure since July 2007. The sub-index of consumer expectations came in at a reading of 75.4, slightly below a preliminary value of 75.6 in September, but improving from 71.3, registered in August.
In case the gauge of consumer sentiment decreased at a larger rate than projected, this would reduce demand for the greenback. The preliminary reading is due out at 13:55 GMT.
Canada
The annualized index of consumer prices (CPI) in Canada probably slowed down to 2.0% in September, according to market expectations, from 2.1% in August, as the latter matched the rate in July. Shelter costs increased at an annualized rate of 2.8% in August, which followed a 3.0% gain in July. Natural gas prices surged 17.9% in August, after climbing 20.4% in the previous month. Prices of food were up 2.2%, with cost of food purchased from stores rising 2.3% on an annual basis in August, after another 3.2% surge during the prior month. Consumers also paid more for homeowners home and mortgage insurance.
In monthly terms, the CPI probably increased 0.1% in September, after remaining flat in August.
Key categories in Canadian CPI basket are Shelter (accounting for 27.5% of the total weight) and Transportation (19.3%). Other categories include Food (with a 16.1% share), Household Operations, Furnishings and Equipment (11.8%), Recreation, Education and Reading (11.8%), Clothing and Footwear (5.7%), Health and Personal Care (5%), while Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products comprise the remaining 3%.
Bank of Canadas (BoC) annualized Core CPI, which excludes prices of fruits, vegetables, gasoline, fuel oil, natural gas, mortgages, intercity transportation, and tobacco products, probably remained steady at 2.1% in September. In July it was reported at 1.7%. This is the key measure of inflation, on which the central bank bases its decisions regarding monetary policy. In case the Core CPI increased more than projected, but still remained within BoC inflation range target (1-3%), this would support demand for the loonie, as Canadian dollar is also known. The official CPI report by Statistics Canada is due out at 12:30 GMT.
Pivot Points
According to Binary Tribune’s daily analysis, the central pivot point for the pair is at 1.1281. In case USD/CAD manages to breach the first resistance level at 1.1337, it will probably continue up to test 1.1418. In case the second key resistance is broken, the pair will probably attempt to advance to 1.1474.
If USD/CAD manages to breach the first key support at 1.1200, it will probably continue to slide and test 1.1144. With this second key support broken, the movement to the downside will probably continue to 1.1063.
The mid-Pivot levels for today are as follows: M1 – 1.1104, M2 – 1.1172, M3 – 1.1241, M4 – 1.1309, M5 – 1.1378, M6 – 1.1446.
In weekly terms, the central pivot point is at 1.1181. The three key resistance levels are as follows: R1 – 1.1284, R2 – 1.1369, R3 – 1.1472. The three key support levels are: S1 – 1.1096, S2 – 1.0993, S3 – 1.0908.
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