Trading GBP/CAD

The GBP/CAD is one of the key forex cross pairs. The pound sterling is the world’s 5th top reserve currency, while the Canadian dollar is 7th on the list. It is a popular FX asset with decent bid-ask spreads, high volatility and ample liquidity. This tutorial will break down GBP/CAD investing strategies, ideal trading windows, price history and benefits of the forex pair.

GBP/CAD Trading Brokers

  1. OANDA US - OANDA offers a diverse selection of 68 currency pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker’s in-house platform offers superb day trading capabilities via powerful TradingView charts, including 65+ technical indicators and 11 customizable chart types.
  2. Vantage - Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.
  3. IC Markets - IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
  4. AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.
  5. FOREX.com - FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

Trading GBP/CAD Comparison

Trading GBP/CAD Comparison
Broker Forex Assets EUR/USD Spread Forex App Rating Minimum Deposit Regulator Visit
OANDA US logo
65+ 1.6
$0 NFA, CFTC Visit
Vantage logo
55+ 0.0
$50 FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC Visit
IC Markets logo
75 0.02
$200 ASIC, CySEC, FSA Visit
AvaTrade logo
50+ 0.9
- ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM Visit
FOREX.com logo
80+ 1.2
$100 NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA Visit
Pepperstone logo
100+ 0.1
$0 FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB Visit
XM logo
55+ 1.6
$5 ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA Visit
Eightcap logo
50+ 0.0
$100 ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB Visit
PrimeXBT logo
45+ Variable
$0 - Visit
IQ Option logo
60+ 14 pips
$10 - Visit
BDSwiss logo
50+ 1.2
$10 FSC, FSA Visit
FxPro logo
70+ 1.58 pips (Ave)
$100 FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSC Visit
FXCC logo
70+ 0.2
$0 CySEC Visit
XTB logo
70+ 1.0
$0 FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV, DFSA, FSC Visit
Plus500 logo
60+ 0.6
$100 FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, FMA, EFSA Visit

#1 - OANDA US

Why We Chose OANDA US

OANDA offers a diverse selection of 68 currency pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker’s in-house platform offers superb day trading capabilities via powerful TradingView charts, including 65+ technical indicators and 11 customizable chart types.

"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 3.4
  • EURUSD Spread: 1.6
  • EURGBP Spread: 1.7
  • Total Assets: 65+
  • Leverage: 1:50
  • Platforms: OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist

About OANDA US

OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.

Pros

  • There's a strong selection of 68 currency pairs for dedicated short-term forex traders
  • The broker offers a transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
  • The broker's API facilitates access to 25 years of deep historical data and rates from 200+ currencies

Cons

  • There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
  • The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
  • It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends

#2 - Vantage

Why We Chose Vantage

Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.

"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 0.5
  • EURUSD Spread: 0.0
  • EURGBP Spread: 0.5
  • Total Assets: 55+
  • Leverage: 1:500
  • Platforms: ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade

About Vantage

Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.

Pros

  • There are no short-term strategy restrictions with hedging and scalping permitted
  • It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 2 minutes
  • Vantage maintains its high trust score thanks to its strong reputation and top-tier regulation from the FCA and ASIC

Cons

  • The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
  • Unfortunately, cryptos are only available for Australian clients
  • A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side

#3 - IC Markets

Why We Chose IC Markets

IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.

"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 0.23
  • EURUSD Spread: 0.02
  • EURGBP Spread: 0.27
  • Total Assets: 75
  • Leverage: 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About IC Markets

IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.

Pros

  • IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
  • With ultra-fast execution speeds averaging 35 milliseconds and deep liquidity, IC Markets provides an optimal trading environment for scalpers, hedgers, and algorithmic traders.
  • As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.

Cons

  • The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
  • While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
  • Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.

#4 - AvaTrade

Why We Chose AvaTrade

AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.

"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 1.5
  • EURUSD Spread: 0.9
  • EURGBP Spread: 1.5
  • Total Assets: 50+
  • Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
  • Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

Pros

  • The broker offers reliable 24/5 multilingual customer support with fast response times during testing
  • WebTrader is well-suited to beginners and features a strong suite of technical analysis tools and market research for day traders
  • AvaTrade is a heavily regulated and trustworthy broker with licenses from the ASIC, CySEC and more

Cons

  • A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners
  • Traders from the US are not accepted
  • It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here

#5 - FOREX.com

Why We Chose FOREX.com

FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 1.3
  • EURUSD Spread: 1.2
  • EURGBP Spread: 1.4
  • Total Assets: 80+
  • Leverage: 1:200 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

About FOREX.com

Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.

Pros

  • With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.
  • Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
  • The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.

Cons

  • Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
  • FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
  • Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.

Live Chart

Pros Of Trading GBP/CAD

Risks Of Trading GBP/CAD

Influences On Movement

There are many factors to consider when investing in the GBP/CAD, which shape market sentiment and average prices. The most significant influences are:

Currency Correlations

Unlike major pairs, the GBP/CAD does not have the US dollar as a component, making it a cross, i.e., GBP/JPY. Cross-currency pairs often move differently to majors. However, to some extent, they are still dependent on the USD movement.

For example, the GBP/CAD can move in relation to GBP/USD and USD/CAD pairs. Pairs can move with each other but also in the opposite direction, which affects the correlation coefficient:

Application

A GBP/CAD trader can use this information to better understand the consequences of movement in certain pairs. Specifically, keeping an eye out for proxy pair EUR/USD can be used to your advantage. However, it is important to note that correlations do not always remain stable. This is because economic factors and market speculation can result in shifts in currency correlations.

GBP/CAD Trading Strategy

No matter the strategy you opt for, whether you utilize pivot points, support and resistance levels, 5-year averages, or live charts to create weekly projections, the following can make the difference in your strategy:

Timing

Successful GBP/CAD day trading depends on timing. You typically want to invest during the highest levels of volume and volatility to generate profits above the cost of spreads and commission. Thus, it’s important to trade during the ideal window.

Just because the forex market is open 24/5 does not mean every one of those hours is worth trading. So, when is the ideal time to trade? Significant movement in GBP/CAD usually occurs when the European trade session opens. This is between 08:00 to 17:00 GMT.

However, the majority of UK monthly economic data news comes out between 07:00 to 09:30 GMT, and US economic releases come out at 13:30 to 15:00 GMT. This is when the pair usually experiences higher volumes. Particularly, 30 to 60 minutes before releases and 1 to 3 hours after are good times to trade as news flow can impact the pair’s value.

Buying & Selling GBP/CAD

There are a number of strategies you can utilize when investing in GBP/CAD.

Scalping strategies involve attempting to make profits by buying or selling an FX pair and holding it for an ultra-short period. Since the GBP/CAD pair has good volatility, it makes scalping possible. A scalper capitalizes on small price movements that occur throughout the day. Then they rely on compounding their gains by making a large number of small trades.

You can opt for a swing trading strategy that focuses on capturing short to medium gains and cutting losses quicker in the market. Trading positions typically last anywhere between days to weeks, with the idea to consistently gain short-term profits that accumulate over time. Generally, swing traders go long at levels of support and short sell at levels of resistance.

You can also use trends to inform your strategies. A trend can move upwards, downward, or sideways. As mentioned, GBP/CAD benefits from relative predictability, so identifying historical trends to your advantage can prove profitable when deciding market entry and exit points. Generally, GBP/CAD trends tend to form in the medium to long term, which you can decipher on live charts. Trend traders normally go long when the pair’s current price moves downward, past the moving average, and then go short when the price goes above the moving average.

News

Some prefer to use the latest market news and outlook for their GBP/CAD investing strategies. This is because GBP and CAD prices can experience shifts in response to major news releases. In fact, some forex news resources offer the latest analysis, forecasts, premarket sentiments, and real-time GBP to CAD conversions. The following are some popular sources to utilize:

History Of GBP/CAD

It is also useful to understand the origins of the currencies and any significant historical data before investing in the GBP/CAD.

Early GBP/CAD

The pound sterling was created in 775 AD when silver pennies were the dominant currency during the Anglo-Saxon period. Having been around for 1200 years, the GBP is thought to be the oldest currency still in circulation today. The Bank of England was the first central bank in history, born out of the Battle of Beachy Head in 1694 and 1944. The Bretton Woods conference shifted the world from the pound sterling to the US dollar.

In the early 1840s, Canada adopted the Canada pound but transitioned to a decimalized dollar in the 1850s. Nicknamed the ‘loonie’, the CAD was attached to the USD until 1970. This was after the fall of the CAD after 1960, but inflation meant that it had returned to a free-floating currency, and it remains so today. The Canadian dollar is controlled by the country’s central bank, the Bank of Canada.

Recent GBP/CAD

Over recent years, historical exchange rates of GBP/CAD have been affected by key events. After the UK’s referendum vote to leave the EU in 2016, the pound sterling saw its lowest levels since 1985. Brexit caused the GBP to fall more than 10% overnight, hitting $1.3236. The impact of the vote still has some lasting impacts until this day, with the decline affected by concerns over a successful Brexit deal. For example, in October 2019, the GBP to CAD exchange rate was struggling to move back to the higher levels it saw in the previous month. At the time, its rates were sitting at 1.639, while the Brexit deadline was expected to happen at the end of that month.

The CAD dollar saw a sharp rise in 2007, hitting parity with the US dollar for the first time since 1976. However, in recent years, dramatic fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar have primarily correlated with the shift in oil prices, which reflects its status as a commodity currency. For example, in 2016, the price of oil dropped to $30 per barrel. Against the US dollar, CAD hit a low of 1.46. A similar scenario happened in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic when oil dipped to sub-zero. This sent the CAD to 1.44.

While the CAD value is mainly dependent on the US market and oil prices for success, the pound is much more impacted by political and economic risks. During Brexit, the GBP was weakened. This can clearly be seen on charts, especially paired with USD, which at the time was much stronger than the pound.

In 2022, another major economic risk that affects the GBP is the inflation rate caused by the higher oil prices and a need for rebalancing after the Covid-19 relief policies. At the same time, because the United Kingdom is impacted by Europe, the effect of the Ukrainian-Russian war can also be seen in charts, with GBP/CAD dropping to 1.58 in May 2022.

Role Of GBP

Before you start investing your capital into the GBP/CAD pair, it helps to gain context on the role these two currencies play. With this knowledge, you will be in a stronger position to make predictions about the market.

While the UK is smaller in size geographically, its economy is the fifth-largest in the world. In fact, London is home to nearly 43% of daily forex exchange transactions. The country’s economy is service-oriented, followed by manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Its banking and financial activities are also becoming the greatest contributors to the national GDP.

The UK’s monetary and fiscal policies have been shown to outperform most other EU countries. The British pound is, in fact, the world’s fifth most widely held reserve currency. It is also one of the few currencies worth more than the US dollar. GBP accounts for around 13% of daily forex trading volume in the forex market, with commonly traded pairs being GBP/USD and EUR/GBP.

While the pound has a long history of global economic leadership, major political events, such as Brexit could undermine the position of the pound. This is what long-term investors will have to take into account. On the other hand, this volatility can provide short-term traders with investment opportunities.

Role Of CAD

It is also important to understand the role the CAD plays.

Canada is ranked tenth in the world in terms of GDP and has had relatively strong growth over the last 20 years, with brief periods of recessions in the early 1990s and 2009. While manufacturing is the country’s cornerstone, Canada’s economy relies heavily on commodities as it is a producer of petroleum, minerals, woods, and grains. Thus, trade flows from those exports can influence investor sentiment. As mentioned, investors must also consider the events happening in the US due to the tight trading relationship with Canada.

Major economic data from Canada includes the release of GDP, retail sales, industrial production, inflation, and trade balances. Monetary policy is controlled by the Bank of Canada. As a country with relative economic health, it has had high-interest rates against other developed economies. And while it is not a top reserve currency like the GBP, it is considered a global safe haven.

Final Word On Trading GBP/CAD

The GBP/CAD pair promises volatility, relative predictability, and high-interest rates, which attract traders from around the world. It is important to utilize tools like technical analysis, real-time exchange rates, historical chart graphs, signals, and trends. On top of that, it is important to maintain risk management strategies and to conduct quality trading during the ideal investing window. Investing with a trusted OTC broker such as Oanda can also prove fruitful.

FAQs

When Is The Best Time To Trade GBP/CAD?

During the European session, the ideal window to trade this pair is 08:00 – 17:00 GMT. This is when the pair is most liquid and volatile.

What Are The Highest And Lowest Rates Of GBP/CAD?

In recent years, GBP/CAD saw rates as high as 2.04 in July 2015. However, they have not reached that peak since and have seen rates as low as 1.58 in August 2019.

How Much Is 1 GBP To CAD?

The GBP to CAD exchange rate is always shifting. See a live chart for the latest rate between these currencies.

Is GBP Stronger Than The CAD?

Historically, the value of the GBP has been stronger than the CAD. The British economy’s GDP ranks higher than CAD, and it ranks above the Canadian dollar as one of the world’s reserve currency. However, many factors are constantly affecting the value of both currencies, such as political events and the price of oil. Thus, it is important to keep up with the latest news on the pair.

Should I Trade With GBP/CAD?

When day trading the pair effectively, profits can be decent. There are plenty of investment strategies you can opt for, like swing trading, trend trading, or scalping. If you trade in the ideal window, keep up with the news, utilize resources like charts, and practice strategies, investing in the GBP/CAD can be prosperous.