USD/CAD whipsaws around 1.3680 as the Fed holds with most dissents since 1992

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USD/CAD saw a sharp spike to a high near 1.3711 around the FOMC announcement before sellers reclaimed the move.

The Fed held the federal funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75% and gave no guidance on the timing of further policy moves.
The 8-4 vote drew the most FOMC dissents since October 1992, with Miran for a cut and three rejecting easing language.
The Fed hardened its inflation language to 'elevated' while citing high uncertainty around Middle East developments.

USD/CAD saw a sharp spike to a high near 1.3711 around the FOMC announcement before sellers reclaimed the move. The pair carved a tight intraday range roughly between 1.3670 and the day's high, with a single-candle wick rejection setting the peak before price drifted back toward the middle of the band.

The Federal Reserve (Fed) held the federal funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75% for a third consecutive meeting, hardening its characterization of inflation to 'elevated' from 'somewhat elevated' while citing higher global energy prices and a high level of uncertainty around Middle East developments. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) gave no guidance on when policy may shift next, saying it would carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The 8-4 vote drew the most dissents since October 1992: Stephen Miran preferred a 25 basis points cut, while Beth Hammack, Neel Kashkari, and Lorie Logan voted to hold but opposed the easing bias inserted into the statement.

The split-but-firm message produced an immediate US Dollar bid that pushed USD/CAD up to its session high before a swift fade brought price back to roughly where it had traded ahead of the announcement.

USD/CAD 5-minute chart

Fed FAQs

What does the Federal Reserve do, how does it impact the US Dollar?

Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback.

How often does the Fed hold monetary policy meetings?

The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions. The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis.

What is Quantitative Easing (QE) and how does it impact USD?

In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar.

What is Quantitative Tightening (QT) and how does it impact the US Dollar?

Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.