Canada added 17,900 jobs in March, fewer than the 25,900 economists had predicted, as construction and natural resources companies hired while the service industry shrank. Statistics Canada reported last Friday that the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.2%, despite a predicted decrease of 0.1%. While not as strong as expected, this smaller than predicted increase represents the third straight gain in Canada’s employment level, further adding evidence of a rebound in the early part of the year.
The Canadian dollar fell as low as C$1.0084, or 99.17 U.S. cents following the release of the report, before partially retracing its steps to close at C$1.00139. It was near parity with the U.S. dollar just before the data. While over the course the day, the Loonie fell 0.113% from its opening price of C$1.00252, the CAD managed to hold on to its prior week gains- closing the week up 0.567% from Monday’s opening price.
However, this weaker than expected employment data may grant the Bank of Canada some extra time as it ponders when to withdraw the extraordinary stimulus measures from the economy.
The central bank has signaled that it won’t raise its benchmark interest rate from a record low level of 0.25% before July, unless inflation becomes a threat. With inflation already hovering near the bank's 2% target and stronger than expected data pointing to a second straight quarter of 5% annualized growth, markets had begun to price in a chance of monetary tightening in June. But most forex trading analysts believe the central bank will keep its pledge to hold rates at least until the end of the second quarter.
The Canadian dollar fell as low as C$1.0084, or 99.17 U.S. cents following the release of the report, before partially retracing its steps to close at C$1.00139. It was near parity with the U.S. dollar just before the data. While over the course the day, the Loonie fell 0.113% from its opening price of C$1.00252, the CAD managed to hold on to its prior week gains- closing the week up 0.567% from Monday’s opening price.
However, this weaker than expected employment data may grant the Bank of Canada some extra time as it ponders when to withdraw the extraordinary stimulus measures from the economy.
The central bank has signaled that it won’t raise its benchmark interest rate from a record low level of 0.25% before July, unless inflation becomes a threat. With inflation already hovering near the bank's 2% target and stronger than expected data pointing to a second straight quarter of 5% annualized growth, markets had begun to price in a chance of monetary tightening in June. But most forex trading analysts believe the central bank will keep its pledge to hold rates at least until the end of the second quarter.