The Canadian Dollar: As Good as It Gets?
Author: Tom Nakamura
June 11, 2021
The Canadian dollar has been the strongest of all G10 currencies over the past year, according to Bloomberg data, but investors should expect its relative strength versus the U.S. dollar to wane in the coming weeks if headwinds that have negatively impacted the greenback slowly turn to tailwinds.
To that end, there is perhaps no better indication that change is afoot than the direction in which U.S. manufacturing data is headed at this juncture in the economic recovery. In the past, an Institute of Supply Management (ISM) reading of greater than 50 and rising has generally corresponded with a weakening U.S. dollar. But when readings are greater than 50 and falling as they have since peaking in March, there is an equally strong correlation to a rising U.S. dollar.
Average Monthly Performance in Different ISM Regimes Since 1980
| U.S. ISM cycle phase | ISM Rising/Falling | U.S. Dollar Index | Canadian Dollar Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive Growth (ISM>50) | Rising | -0.22% | 0.14% |
| Falling | 0.31% | -0.01% | |
| Negative Growth (ISM<50) | Rising | 0.08% | -0.06% |
| Falling | 0.02% | -0.16% |
While it’s still too early to know whether that relationship will hold true once again, it is not the only sign pointing to a potentially stronger greenback going forward. Just as important to the equation is the U.S. Federal Reserve’s next few moves. As most investors are aware, the Fed has been extremely dovish in the wake of the pandemic, which has, no doubt, been a factor in the U.S. dollar’s weakness, in part, because it no longer has a carry advantage over other currencies. (A carry trade occurs when traders buy currency pairs with high interest rate spreads, borrowing in low-rate currencies and investing in high-rate currencies.)
But the central bank’s stance may not be so set in stone now that inflation expectations are starting to rise. While the Fed continues to believe the recent spate of higher prices is a transitory effect of the U.S. economic recovery, rather than one that is long-lasting, there remains a serious possibility that the Fed will refine its stance and become more hawkish about the need to tighten policy sooner rather than later. As such, even the slightest change in rhetoric from the Fed would likely be bullish for the U.S. dollar and presumably bearish for currencies like the Canadian dollar.
In fact, even if these catalysts fall short of fruition, it’s hard to see how the loonie continues to outpace the greenback, let alone keep up with it in the near term. At best, strong commodity prices and the Bank of Canada’s decision to reduce asset purchases earlier than the Fed may continue to give a small lift to the Canadian dollar, but these factors have already largely been priced in. So too, more than likely, is the positive impact on the loonie of Canada’s rosier outlook as a net exporter. While there’s little question that the U.S. recovery has been a benefit to the Canadian dollar recently – as has the stimulative monetary and fiscal policies that have been enacted around the world – one reliable measure of valuation, terms of trade, is now at its highest level since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and suggests further gains in the loonie will be harder to come by.
Terms of Trade: Back to Post-GFC Highs
In other words, this may be as good as it gets for the Canadian dollar – at least in relation to a U.S. counterpart that may be on the verge of a comeback.
Tom Nakamura is Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Currency Strategy and Co-Head of Fixed Income at AGF Investments Inc. He is a regular contributor to AGF Perspectives.
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Written by
Tom Nakamura, CFA®
Vice-President and Portfolio Manager, Currency Strategy and Co-Head of Fixed Income
AGF Investments Inc.
