The Canadian dollar depreciated against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, pressured by a significant drop in oil prices. Crude oil, a key export for Canada, was impacted by concerns regarding global economic growth and persistent oversupply in the market.
The Canadian dollar reached its weakest level in two weeks, trading at C$1.3172 to the U.S. dollar, or 75.92 U.S. cents. This represents a decline of 0.6% compared to Wednesday’s close.
Analysts noted that the loonie’s weakness was directly correlated to the downturn in oil prices. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures fell by more than 2% to below $40 a barrel, further exacerbating the pressure on the Canadian currency.
Other factors influencing the Canadian dollar included:
- Global Economic Uncertainty: Concerns about the health of the global economy, particularly China, weighed on commodity prices and risk sentiment.
- Bank of Canada Policy: The Bank of Canada’s dovish monetary policy stance, including recent interest rate cuts, has also contributed to the loonie’s weakness.
Looking ahead, the Canadian dollar’s performance is expected to remain closely tied to oil price movements and global economic developments. Investors will be closely monitoring upcoming economic data releases and central bank announcements for further clues about the currency’s future direction.