USD/CAD Canadian Dollar Higher Despite Less Dovish FOMC Statement

 | Jul 28, 2016 02:01AM ET

The Canadian dollar is higher after the U.S. Federal Reserve ended its two day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and released its statement holding interest rates unchanged. The mixed messages from the Fed who did not have a press conference schedule to expand on their statement left the market a bit underwhelmed despite the less dovish language used. The market focused on the “Near-term risks to the economic outlook have diminished,” from the FOMC alongside notes on the strong job recovery that would point to higher rates in the near future.

The USD could not convert all that hawkish interest rate hike language into strength. In fact the dollar was lower against major pairs as expectations were barely met and more information is needed. The release of the minutes in three weeks could provide the missing link and once again boost the USD if the internal debate proved to be more slanted towards a rate hike before December.

Oil prices were weaker and hit a 3 month low after U.S. oil inventories showed a surprise rise in stockpiles of 1.7 million barrels instead of the forecasted 2.3 million barrels drop. Demand has failed to grow during the busy Summer driving season and producers around the world continue to flood the market with oversupply. The resulting glut has put downward pressure on prices all year, with only the Saudi Arabia and Russia attempt of an oil output freeze able to stylize the market. The failure to reach an agreement is now coming to the forefront as the price of oil is trading near $41 and with weak economic forecasts could fall even further.