USDCAD Double Top Signals a Potential Breakdown

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USDCAD pair is testing a critical resistance area near 1.3830 after a strong rebound. But the price structure is beginning to flash signs of exhaustion. With repeated rejections and a clear double-top pattern forming, the setup favors a bearish move. If momentum turns, we could see a meaningful correction toward the 1.3730 support zone, with deeper downside risk into mid-September.

Current Bias

Bearish rejection at resistance, structure favors downside continuation.

Key Fundamental Drivers

Canada: Weak August jobs report (unemployment 7.1%, wages cooling) raised BoC cut expectations, pressuring CAD. But oil prices (Brent ~$65) limit the downside risk, giving CAD some commodity support.

U.S.: Weaker jobs (+142k NFP, unemployment 4.3%) keeps Fed cuts on the table, capping USD upside. Core PCE sticky at 2.9%, but inflation trend is moderating.

Macro Context

Interest Rates: Fed expected to cut in coming months; BoC markets price ~90% chance of a September cut.

Economic Growth: U.S. slowing but still resilient, Canada contracting (Q2 GDP −0.4% q/q).

Commodities: Oil’s soft rebound provides CAD with some stability.

Geopolitics: Trade tensions (U.S. tariffs, China-Russia bond coordination) keep USD supported as a defensive hedge.

Primary Risk to the Trend

A sharp oil sell-off would weaken CAD and trigger USD/CAD upside.

U.S. CPI surprise to the upside could reprice Fed expectations, boosting USD.

Most Critical Upcoming News/Event

U.S. CPI (this week): Will decide Fed cut timing.

BoC September rate decision: High probability of a cut, market focus on forward guidance.

Leader/Lagger Dynamics

USD/CAD is typically a lagger — following USD direction (via Fed expectations) and CAD flows (via oil). It often mirrors oil price action and diverges from USD/JPY, reflecting risk sentiment shifts.

Key Levels

Support Levels: 1.3732, 1.3585

Resistance Levels: 1.3830, 1.3875

Stop Loss (SL): 1.3875

Take Profit (TP): 1.3732 (first), 1.3585 (extended)

Summary: Bias and Watchpoints

USD/CAD is leaning bearish after failing to break cleanly above 1.3830. Fundamentals point to a tug-of-war between dovish BoC expectations and weaker U.S. data, but the chart structure favors downside into 1.3732 and potentially 1.3585. My stop loss sits above 1.3875 to protect against a breakout. Watch U.S. CPI as the key driver: a hotter print could revive USD strength, while a softer read could accelerate CAD gains. Oil’s stability remains a secondary but important factor for CAD resilience.

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