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The Canadian dollar strengthened against its U.S. counterpart on Wednesday, recovering from a two-month low it hit the previous day after stronger-than-expected domestic inflation data, but earlier gains were capped as the greenback rallied broadly.

The U.S. dollar gained against a basket of currencies after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s July meeting showed that policy-makers were united in wanting to avoid the appearance of being on the path to further rate cuts.

Canada’s annual inflation rate held steady in July at 2 per cent as lower costs for services were offset by higher prices for durable goods. Analysts had expected the annual rate to fall to 1.7 per cent from 2 per cent in June.

“The Canadian dollar and other major currencies are selling off in response to a lowering of odds of further monetary easing from the Federal Reserve,” said Karl Schamotta, director of global markets strategy at Cambridge Global Payments. But “the inflation data this morning is underpinning the rally that we’ve seen.”

The Canadian dollar was trading 0.2 per cent higher at 1.3289 to the greenback, or 75.25 U.S. cents, at 3:12 p.m. The currency, which on Tuesday touched its weakest intraday level since June 19, was trading in a range of 1.3254 to 1.3324.

Oil futures gave up earlier gains as increases in refined product inventories and lingering worries about the global economy offset U.S. government data showing a drawdown in domestic crude stocks.

U.S. crude oil futures settled 0.8 per cent lower at $55.68 a barrel.

Canada’s retail sales data is due on Friday, with a Reuters poll forecasting a 0.1 per cent decrease, which could help guide expectations about the Bank of Canada’s interest rate decision.

Canadian government bond prices were lower across the yield curve, with the two-year down 10 cents to yield 1.395 per cent and the 10-year falling 53 cents to yield 1.213 per cent.

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Tickers mentioned in this story

Study and track financial data on any traded entity: click to open the full quote page. Data updated as of 28/03/24 7:41pm EDT.

SymbolName% changeLast
CADUSD-FX
Canadian Dollar/U.S. Dollar
+0.02%0.73869

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