Pfister says higher oil aids the Canadian dollar, yet structural headwinds and US-dollar linkage restrain gains

    by VT Markets
    /
    Mar 16, 2026
    The Canadian Dollar has started to gain support from higher oil prices, but structural factors and its close link to the US Dollar may limit how far it can strengthen. Commerzbank keeps its USD/CAD forecast at 1.37 for H1 2026. If oil prices settle above $100 per barrel during an ongoing war in the Middle East, the Canadian Dollar could gain further. In that case, Canada’s real interest rate gap versus many European currencies could widen if European central banks raise rates slowly due to weaker economic conditions.

    Oil Prices And Canadian Dollar Limits

    EUR/CAD could move to lower levels during an energy price shock, driven mainly by a weaker euro and improved Canadian terms of trade. For USD/CAD, lower levels are still seen as more likely only in the second half of the year. The article notes it was produced with the help of an AI tool and reviewed by an editor. It is attributed to the FXStreet Insights Team, which compiles market observations and analyst notes. We are seeing the Canadian dollar get some support as WTI crude oil prices hover just above $102 a barrel, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions. However, this strength is being limited by the robust US dollar, which is benefiting from recent strong US jobs data and sticky inflation figures. This push-and-pull creates a relatively stable environment for the USD/CAD pair. For the coming weeks, the 1.3700 level for USD/CAD looks like a central point. Given that last month’s Canadian inflation data showed a slight cooling to 2.7%, the Bank of Canada is not under pressure to act aggressively, reinforcing this range. Derivative traders might consider strategies that profit from low volatility, such as selling strangles with strikes placed well outside an expected 1.3550-1.3850 channel.

    Trading Views For Major Cad Pairs

    This situation feels familiar when we look back at the second half of 2025. During that period, we saw a similar spike in energy prices, yet the USD/CAD exchange rate failed to break below 1.35 due to the US Federal Reserve’s consistently hawkish tone. We expect this theme of US economic outperformance to continue capping significant Canadian dollar gains. Therefore, for traders looking to express a bullish view on the Canadian dollar, doing so against the euro may be more effective. With the European Central Bank still signaling caution due to weaker regional growth, the EUR/CAD cross could see downward pressure. Buying puts on EUR/CAD could be a more direct way to play the terms-of-trade advantage for Canada. The key risk to this stable outlook for USD/CAD would be a sudden de-escalation in the Middle East, which could send oil prices tumbling below $90. Conversely, if US inflation data for February, due next week, comes in surprisingly soft, it could weaken the US dollar and push the pair lower. We must remain watchful of these key data points and headlines. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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