Trading the News: Canada Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
What’s Expected:
Time of release: 03/01/2013 13:30 GMT, 8:30 EST
Primary Pair Impact: USDCAD
Expected: 0.6%
Previous: 0.6%
DailyFX Forecast: 0.4% to 0.6%
Why Is This Event Important:
The GDP report is expected to show Canada expanding another 0.6% in the fourth-quarter, but we may see a slowing recovery in the region as the Bank of Canada (BoC) curbs the record-rise in household indebtedness. Indeed, BoC Governor Mark Carney has scaled back his hawkish tone for monetary policy amid the recent lull in economic activity, and a dismal growth report may spark a selloff in the Canadian dollar as the central bank talks down speculation for a rate hike.
Recent Economic Developments
The Upside
| Release | Expected | Actual |
| International Merchandise Trade (DEC) | -1.45B | -0.90B |
| Ivey Purchasing Manager Index s.a. (OCT) | 53.9 | 58.9 |
| Business Outlook Future Sales (4Q) | 10.00 | 16.00 |
The Downside
| Release | Expected | Actual |
| Retail Sales (MoM) (DEC) | -0.3% | -2.1% |
| Net Change in Employment (JAN) | 5.0K | -21.9K |
| Gross Domestic Product (MOM) (AUG) | 0.2% | -0.1% |
The pickup in business spending along with the improvement in global trade may foster a strong growth reading for Canada, and a large uptick in GDP may trigger a sharp reversal in the USDCAD as the data fuels bets for higher interest rates. However, the slowdown in private sector consumption paired with the recent weakness in the labor market may bring about a dismal GDP report, and we may see a bullish breakout in the exchange should it dampen expectations for a rate hike.
Potential Price Targets For The Release
As the USDCAD preserves broad triangle dating back to 2011, an upbeat GDP report should prop up the loonie, and the data may spark a sharp reversal in the exchange rate as it threatens trendline resistance. However, we may see a bullish breakout in the dollar-loonie should the growth rate disappoint, and the pair may continue to retrace the decline from back in 2012 as the upward trend in the relative strength index continues to take shape.
Trading the given event risk may not be as clear cut as some of our previous trades as the economy is expected to grow another 0.6%, but an upbeat GDP report may pave the way for a long Canadian dollar trade should the data heighten expectations for higher borrowing costs. Therefore, if the growth rate tops market forecast, we will need a red, five-minute candle subsequent to the release to generate a sell entry on two-lots of USDCAD. Once these conditions are met, we will set the initial stop at the nearby swing high or a reasonable distance from the entry, and this risk will establish our first target. The second objective will be based on discretion, and we will move the stop on the second lot to cost once the first trade hits its mark in order to lock-in our gains.