EUR/CAD caps near 1.6200 as Euro struggles due to risk-off mood
- EUR/CAD stays silent as risk aversion rises following the failure of US–Iran peace talks.
- Nordea analysts say resolving the US–Iran conflict wouldn’t remove the need for ECB tightening.
- CAD may gain as oil prices rise amid renewed fears of a Strait of Hormuz blockade.
EUR/CAD holds position after paring its intraday losses, trading around 1.6200 during the Asian hours on Monday. However, the currency cross still remains in the negative territory as the Euro (EUR) struggles amid increased risk aversion after the failure of the United States (US)-Iran peace talks.
US Vice President JD Vance confirmed the US–Iran talks in Islamabad ended without a deal following 21 hours of negotiations. President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that the blockade of ships entering and exiting Iranian ports will begin today, April 13, at 10:00 AM ET (14:00 GMT).
Eurozone annual inflation rose to 2.5% in March, the highest since January 2025, exceeding the European Central Bank’s (ECB) 2% target amid rising energy prices. ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasized that policy will remain restrictive until inflation sustainably returns to target.
Nordea’s Jan von Gerich and Tuuli Koivu, in their pre-ceasefire ECB outlook, projected four 25-basis-point rate hikes starting in June. They emphasize that broader price pressures persist and that even a resolution to the conflict would not eliminate the need for ECB tightening.
The EUR/CAD cross also struggles as the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD) may receive support from the rising oil prices, given Canada’s status as the largest crude exporter to the United States (US).
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price trades over 7% higher near $96.90 per barrel at the time of writing. Crude oil prices rise as US–Iran tensions re-escalate and fears grow over a potential Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Canadian Dollar FAQs
The key factors driving the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are the level of interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC), the price of Oil, Canada’s largest export, the health of its economy, inflation and the Trade Balance, which is the difference between the value of Canada’s exports versus its imports. Other factors include market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – with risk-on being CAD-positive. As its largest trading partner, the health of the US economy is also a key factor influencing the Canadian Dollar.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a significant influence on the Canadian Dollar by setting the level of interest rates that banks can lend to one another. This influences the level of interest rates for everyone. The main goal of the BoC is to maintain inflation at 1-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively higher interest rates tend to be positive for the CAD. The Bank of Canada can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former CAD-negative and the latter CAD-positive.
The price of Oil is a key factor impacting the value of the Canadian Dollar. Petroleum is Canada’s biggest export, so Oil price tends to have an immediate impact on the CAD value. Generally, if Oil price rises CAD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Oil falls. Higher Oil prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance, which is also supportive of the CAD.
While inflation had always traditionally been thought of as a negative factor for a currency since it lowers the value of money, the opposite has actually been the case in modern times with the relaxation of cross-border capital controls. Higher inflation tends to lead central banks to put up interest rates which attracts more capital inflows from global investors seeking a lucrative place to keep their money. This increases demand for the local currency, which in Canada’s case is the Canadian Dollar.
Macroeconomic data releases gauge the health of the economy and can have an impact on the Canadian Dollar. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, employment, and consumer sentiment surveys can all influence the direction of the CAD. A strong economy is good for the Canadian Dollar. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Canada to put up interest rates, leading to a stronger currency. If economic data is weak, however, the CAD is likely to fall.
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