country flag
  1. Home
  2. Forex Day Trading For Beginners

Trading USD/CAD

Contributor Image
Written By
James Barra
Contributor Image
Written By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
» James Barra Profile Page
Contributor Image
Edited By
Jemma Grist
Contributor Image
Edited By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
» Jemma Grist Profile Page
Contributor Image
Fact Checked By
William Berg
Contributor Image
Fact Checked By
William Berg
William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.
» William Berg Profile Page
Updated
Jul 24, 2024

The USD/CAD represents one of the most traded currency pairs in the world due to the large volume of cross-border trading between the US and Canada. The USD/CAD also belongs to the major forex group as it contains the influential US Dollar, while the Canadian Dollar is considered a commodity currency. Importantly, the pair offers rich volatility, liquidity, and tight spreads that attract online traders from all over.

Read on to learn about the history of the USD/CAD, its benefits and drawbacks, trading strategies and technical analysis, suitable investing times, and more. We also list the best brokers for trading USD/CAD below.

USD/CAD Trading Brokers

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    FOREX.com
    Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
    Go To FOREX.com
  2. 2
    NinjaTrader
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    2.9 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.2 / 5
    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
    NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
    ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer
    USD
    Go To NinjaTrader
  3. 3
    OANDA US
    CFDs are not available to residents in the United States.
    Ratings
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    3.7 / 5
    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)
    OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
    Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To OANDA US
  4. 4
    IG
    Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.
    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.9 / 5
    5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
    FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
    Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To IG
  5. 5
    Interactive Brokers
    Ratings
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    $0
    $100
    1:50
    FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA
    Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
    Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
    Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF
    Go To Interactive Brokers
  6. 6
    Videforex
    20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
    $250
    $0.01
    1:500
    Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    TradingView
    Skrill, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Ethereum Payments
    USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB
    Go To Videforex
  7. 7
    CloseOption
    $10 Welcome Gift
    $5
    $1
    National Bank of Georgia
    Binary Options on Forex & Cryptos
    Own
    PayPal, WebMoney, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments
    USD
    Go To CloseOption
  8. 8
    InstaTrade
    Ratings
    2.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    $1
    0.01
    1:1000
    BVI FSC
    FISP, CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos, Futures
    InstaTrade Gear, MT4
    Visa, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments
    USD, EUR, RUB
    Go To InstaTrade
  9. 9
    Axofa
    10% Deposit Bonus
    $1
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    SVGFSA
    Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
    MT5
    Debit Card, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer
    USD, IDR
    Go To Axofa
  10. 10
    Coinexx
    100% Deposit Welcome Bonus
    0.001 BTC
    0.01 Lots
    1:500
    Forex, Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrencies
    MT4, MT5
    Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments
    USD
    Go To Coinexx

Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons

  1. 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.
  2. NinjaTrader - NinjaTraders supports the trading of popular currencies including the EUR/USD. The software also offers advanced features to streamline the trading experience, including complex order types like market if touched (MIT) and one cancels other (OCO).
  3. 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.
  4. IG - IG offers an above-average suite of 80+ currency pairs on its proprietary web platform, mobile app or MetaTrader 4, with more advanced charts and forex analysis tools available on the ProRealTime software. Forex spreads are competitive based on tests, starting from 0.1 pips on majors like the EUR/USD.
  5. Interactive Brokers - IBKR presents an extensive range of over 100 major, minor, and exotic forex pairs, surpassing the offerings of nearly all leading alternatives, though not CMC Markets. Forex trading occurs over multiple platforms and boasts institutional-grade spreads starting from 0.1 pips and 20 complex order types, including brackets, scale, and one-cancels-all (OCA) orders.
  6. Videforex - Trade 35 major, minor and exotic forex pairs through CFDs with floating spreads from 0.1 pips. Alternatively, binary options allow you to speculate on rising and falling prices with a fixed stake and payout.
  7. CloseOption - CloseOption offers binaries on 25+ forex pairs, including majors like EUR/USD and a few minors like AUD/JPY. Payouts vary by currency, with decent typical payouts of 75% for GBP/USD.
  8. InstaTrade - InstaTrade offers a huge selection of around 100 currency pairs. It provides spreads starting at 0.0 on majors, plus integrated forex analysis in the web platform, featuring signals, plus technical and fundamental summaries. Additionally, InstaTrade offers educational modules covering forex basics for beginners, including margin trading and risk management.
  9. Axofa - Axofa offers a decent range of 50+ forex pairs with raw spreads from 0.0 pips. Very high leverage up to 1:1000 and commission-free forex trading is available. With that said, the broker is not particularly transparent when it comes to account conditions and fees.
  10. Coinexx - Trade 70 major, minor and exotic forex pairs with ultra-low ECN spreads and fast execution via the MT4 or MT5 platforms. There are also zero SL/TP limits and automated forex trading is well catered for.

Trading USD/CAD Comparison

Trading USD/CAD Comparison
Broker Forex Assets EUR/USD Spread Forex App Rating Minimum Deposit Regulator
FOREX.com logo
80+ 1.2 4.9 / 5 $100 NFA, CFTC
NinjaTrader logo
50+ 1.3 3.5 / 5 $0 NFA, CFTC
OANDA US logo
65+ 1.6 4 / 5 $0 NFA, CFTC
IG logo
80+ 0.8 4.9 / 5 $0 FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB
Interactive Brokers logo
100+ 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value 4.3 / 5 $0 FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA
Videforex logo
35 Floating from 0.1 pips 2.5 / 5 $250 -
CloseOption logo
20+ No fee - payouts approx. 80% (Copper) - $5 National Bank of Georgia
InstaTrade logo
65 0.0 - $1 BVI FSC
Axofa logo
10+ From 1.6 pips - $1 SVGFSA
Coinexx logo
60+ From 0.0 pips - 0.001 BTC -

FOREX.com

"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."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus OfferActive Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
GBPUSD Spread1.3
EURUSD Spread1.2
EURGBP Spread1.4
Total Assets80+
Leverage1:50
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

  • FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.
  • 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.
Visit FOREX.com
FOREX.com Review

NinjaTrader

"NinjaTrader continues to meet the demands of active futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools. The platform hosts top-rate charting features including hundreds of indicators and 10+ chart types."

Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

NinjaTrader Quick Facts

GBPUSD Spread1.6
EURUSD Spread1.3
EURGBP Spread1.6
Total Assets50+
Leverage1:50
PlatformsNinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • Traders can get free platform access and trade simulation capabilities in the unlimited demo
  • You can get thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries
  • Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract

Cons

  • Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
  • The premium platform tools come with an extra charge
  • There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
Visit NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader Review

OANDA US

"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."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

OANDA US Quick Facts

GBPUSD Spread3.4
EURUSD Spread1.6
EURGBP Spread1.7
Total Assets65+
Leverage1:50
PlatformsOANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • The broker's API facilitates access to 25 years of deep historical data and rates from 200+ currencies
  • Day traders can enjoy fast and reliable order execution
  • Beginners can get started easily with $0 minimum initial deposit

Cons

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

IG

"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform and best-in-class education for beginners, plus advanced charting tools, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

GBPUSD Spread0.9
EURUSD Spread0.8
EURGBP Spread0.9
Total Assets80+
Leverage1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
PlatformsWeb, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met
  • IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis
  • IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, providing ample diversification opportunities

Cons

  • Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests
  • IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders
  • Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges
Visit IG
IG Review

Interactive Brokers

"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Interactive Brokers Quick Facts

GBPUSD Spread0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
EURUSD Spread0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
EURGBP Spread0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
Total Assets100+
Leverage1:50
PlatformsTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

  • While primarily geared towards experienced traders, IBKR has made moves to broaden its appeal in recent years, reducing its minimum deposit from $10,000 to $0.
  • With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.
  • The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.

Cons

  • You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
  • TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
  • IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
Visit Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Review

Videforex

"Newer traders will find a lot to enjoy about trading binary options on Videforex's easy-to-use proprietary platform, as well as the broker's copy trading solution. Payouts also remain higher than most alternatives climbing to 98%."

William Berg, Reviewer

Videforex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
GBPUSD SpreadFloating from 0.1 pips
EURUSD SpreadFloating from 0.1 pips
EURGBP SpreadFloating from 0.1 pips
Total Assets35
Leverage1:500
PlatformsTradingView
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Pros

  • Videforex allows you to enter positions with just ¢0.01
  • Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering great practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders
  • The firm facilitates both day trading and binary options which is great for those looking to diversify their portfolios

Cons

  • No MetaTrader 4 integration
  • US clients aren’t accepted due to legal restrictions
  • The broker isn’t overseen by a trusted regulatory agency
Visit Videforex
Videforex Review

CloseOption

"CloseOption is a good pick for traders seeking a user-friendly binary options platform with high payouts and joining bonuses."

Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

CloseOption Quick Facts

Bonus Offer$10 Welcome Gift
GBPUSD SpreadNo fee - payouts approx. 80% (Copper)
EURUSD SpreadNo fee - payouts approx. 80% (Copper)
EURGBP SpreadNo fee - payouts approx. 80% (Copper)
Total Assets20+
PlatformsOwn
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • Multiple global payment methods are available
  • Free demo account
  • The user-friendly platform is compatible with most web browsers

Cons

  • CloseOption is not regulated by a well-regarded trading authority
  • Binary options are only available on fiat and digital currencies
  • Clients need to deposit $50,000+ to qualify for the best payouts
Visit CloseOption
CloseOption Review

InstaTrade

"Although InstaTrade offers active trading on a comprehensive platform, it stands out with its fairly unique Fixed Income Structured Product (FISP), providing passive investment opportunities with up to 50% returns in 6 months if conditions are met. "

Christian Harris, Reviewer

InstaTrade Quick Facts

GBPUSD Spread0.2
EURUSD Spread0.0
EURGBP Spread2.8
Total Assets65
Leverage1:1000
PlatformsInstaTrade Gear, MT4
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, RUB

Pros

  • InstaTrade TV, consisting of video interviews and valuable market insights spanning equities, cryptos and more, helps identify opportunities and inform short-term trades.
  • Despite an average investment offering of around 300 assets, InstaTrade offers a particularly strong suite of currency pairs, catering to advanced traders seeking opportunities in volatile exotics.
  • InstaTrade claims to "guarantee" returns through the structured element of its passive trading solution (FISP), with applications approved within 24 hours.

Cons

  • InstaTrade’s growing educational tools provide valuable information for aspiring traders, but still trail category leaders like eToro with no structured course based on experience level.
  • InstaTrade is registered in the offshore jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands, resulting in limited regulatory safeguards for retail investors.
  • InstaTrade sports one of the most cluttered websites and client cabinets in the industry, potentially overwhelming new traders, especially compared to XTB’s intuitive trading journey and resources.
Visit InstaTrade
InstaTrade Review

Axofa

"Axofa could be a good option for clients looking for social trading features alongside the MT5 platform. The low entry requirements and ECN spreads are particularly promising, but the lack of transparency and respected regulatory oversight raises security concerns."

William Berg, Reviewer

Axofa Quick Facts

Bonus Offer10% Deposit Bonus
GBPUSD SpreadFrom 1.6 pips
EURUSD SpreadFrom 1.6 pips
EURGBP SpreadFrom 1.6 pips
Total Assets10+
Leverage1:1000
PlatformsMT5
Account CurrenciesUSD, IDR

Pros

  • The broker offers a range of local payment methods, especially for clients in Asia, as well as crypto deposits
  • Axofa offers the MetaTrader 5 platform which will particularly serve intermediate to experienced traders looking for advanced charting tools
  • There's a proprietary social/copy trading service for beginners looking to follow successful strategies and for experienced traders looking to sell their strategies

Cons

  • Our team found inconsistencies between international subsidiaries and website information
  • The offshore operations and lack of any regulatory oversight is a major concern
  • There is a lack of transparency around pricing and account conditions, which significantly reduces the trust score
Visit Axofa
Axofa Review

Coinexx

"Traders seeking highly leveraged CFDs with a broker that uses crypto as a base account currency will find a good match in Coinexx. The ECN model also offer tight spreads from 0 pips. On the downside, traders should note the weak regulatory oversight."

Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

Coinexx Quick Facts

Bonus Offer100% Deposit Welcome Bonus
GBPUSD SpreadFrom 0.0 pips
EURUSD SpreadFrom 0.0 pips
EURGBP SpreadFrom 0.0 pips
Total Assets60+
Leverage1:500
PlatformsMT4, MT5
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • 100% deposit bonus for new clients
  • Free VPS for active traders
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 integration

Cons

  • Limited educational materials for new traders
  • No copy trading service for aspiring investors
  • No fiat account funding options - crypto only
Visit Coinexx
Coinexx Review

Why Trade USDCAD?

The USD/CAD currency pair is the fifth most traded forex pair in the world. With that in mind, it’s probably no surprise that it’s often highlighted on popular trading platforms and exchanges. But why should you invest in USD/CAD?

Drawbacks

Live Chart

USDCAD Chart by TradingView

Influences On Movement

There is a multitude of factors to consider in the USD/CAD relationship. However, the following are key to influencing the currency pair’s conversion rate:

United States Influence

List of best USD/CAD trading brokers

Canadian Influence

How to trade the USD/CAD

Currency Correlations

What may not be clear when trading on your USD/CAD live chart is the effect of currency correlations. No single pair trades completely independent of other currencies. These relationships varying by dates are known as positive and negative correlations:

Application

A USD/CAD trader can use this information to better understand the consequences of movement in certain pairs. But it is important to note that correlations do not always remain stable. For example, USD/CAD had a strong positive correlation with a coefficient of 0.95. However, the relationship deteriorated down to 0.28. Many factors can affect this, such as economic impacts or decisions made by the Fed or BoC.

USD/CAD Trading Strategy

To trade USD/CAD effectively, it takes more than just analyzing signals and keeping up with the latest news and pre-market sentiment. It also takes more than using pip values to your advantage. Below are some useful options and considerations.

Timing

When day trading in the forex space, timing is everything. FX trading may be available 24/7, but it doesn’t mean you should buy and sell all day. Instead, you want to trade when the USD/CAD pair is active, with plenty of volume and volatility. The danger is if you trade at the wrong times, the cost of spreads and commissions can cancel out profits.

Trading sessions in Canada and the US coincide, which means longer trading sessions, but it can also mean more profit. Of course, higher trading volumes also make USD/CAD a lot riskier to trade with.

Ideal Window

So, when is the best time to day trade USD/CAD? The ideal time is arguably from 08:00 to 17:00 EST, which is the entire North American trading session. During this nine-hour window, trading volumes are at their peak, and you have better leverage.

Interestingly, the pair also sees its greatest daily volatility on a Friday, which can be due to traders adjusting positions ahead of the weekend. Spreads are normally tightest during this window, which can result in the greatest opportunities to generate profits. During this window, forex forums are also active.

All these factors can result in the biggest profit potential. Therefore, you should make sure to check for intraday volatility and invest your trading capital during this time slot.

Buying & Selling USD/CAD

The USD/CAD has a tendency to make solid moves promptly, which follows a considerable period for consolidation. So, live charts and technical analysis will often be needed to succeed in trading this FX pair.

Trading the USD/CAD can be based on some simple technical strategies. For example, you can trade based on bounces from trend lines or support and resistance levels. This steady strategy can supply many small profits over a period of time. On the other hand, traders can opt for a more aggressive strategy that delivers large profits in a short period. This involves watching out for inevitable breakout moves from the pair.

The most intense trading sessions occur at the release of economic reports such as non-farm payrolls, unemployment rates, economic sentiment, manufacturing, and non-manufacturing activity growth. Thus, trading during these events without the help of technical analysis can be done using a proactive, a reactive, or a mixed strategy. Proactive trading involves entering a position ahead of the release of today’s data, for example, and basing your decision on forecasts. A reactive approach involves entering the market after the data is published. Finally, a mixed approach combines the two.

News

The latest market news updates on the USD/CAD currency pair can quickly impact market sentiment and create price shifts. You can capitalize on the right moments, but only if you understand how the markets reacted historically.

Since this pair is significantly affected by the oil sector, you should be aware of OPEC meetings that involve oil-selling countries like Canada and the USA. These deliberations can help you forecast which currency will have bigger demand in the future. You should also keep an eye on the decisions made by the Fed and BoC. As mentioned before, these two banks make important decisions on interest rates and monetary policy, which have a large effect on the value of the USD and CAD.

Make sure to keep on top of the latest news updates, along with daily, weekly and monthly forecasts. Utilize technical analysis on live charts, the latest spot exchange rate, plus forecasts and forums. The following are some popular resources:

History

Before you start live chart investing, it is helpful to have an understanding of the USD/CAD history:

Early History

The US Dollar was created during The Coinage Act of 1792, when the United States Congress appointed it as the country’s currency. Paper banknotes were introduced into circulation in the mid-1800s. In 1913, the Federal Reserve Act created the central bank of the US. The USD is still regarded as the world’s unofficial reserve currency after the introduction of the Bretton Woods monetary system in 1944.

On the other hand, in the early 1850s, Canada departed from the colonial pound sterling and shifted to the Canadian Dollar. Until 1970, the CAD was attached to the USD, but it is currently a free-floating currency controlled by the Bank of Canada. It’s also nicknamed as the ‘loonie’, derived from the loon bird that appears on Canadian Dollar coins.

Recent History

Historical exchange rates of the USD/CAD were affected by key events. The Canadian Dollar reached parity with the US Dollar on September 20, 2007. It had been the first time in close to 31 years. Other points of USD/CAD parity were after the Great Recession when the Federal Reserve had subsequent quantitive easing. The Canadian and US Dollar eventually reached a parity of 0.95.

In fact, most instances of parity were related to periods of financial difficulty in the US or during high oil prices. For example, in 2016, the price of oil slumped to a low, trading at less than $30 per barrel. During this time, the Canadian Dollar hit a record low of 1.46 CDN to the USD.

The US to CAD FX rate between 2008 to 2018 has been anywhere between 0.94 and 1.46. The two have been relatively close in value over the decade. From 2011 to 2012, the CAD was worth more than the USD. This was when the USD/CAD exchange rate briefly dipped below 1.00. Since then, the US Dollar has shown a steady increase in value against the Canadian Dollar, particularly in mid-2015. The US Dollar was also in a general uptrend against most other major currencies during this time.

Note, the USD/CAD reached an all-time high of 1.62 in January of 2002; and an all-time low of 0.92 in November 2007.

Role Of The USD

After understanding key events in the USD/CAD timeline, it is important to grasp the role of the US Dollar to make future rate predictions.

The United States is the world’s largest economic power, representing almost 25% of the global nominal GDP. The country’s economy is primarily service-oriented, with 80% of its GDP coming from sectors like real estate, transportation, and financial services. Since the USD is the most traded currency in the world, it is affected by many factors. As already mentioned, key influences include the various reports issued by the Fed.

Other major economic indicators are:

Role Of The CAD

While you might focus your attention on the strength and role of the USD, it is equally useful to consider the role the CAD plays too.

Canada is the fourteenth biggest economy in the world. It closely resembles the United States with its market-oriented economic system, types of production, and high standard of living. Canada’s economy is typically known as a resource-based economy, as it mainly relies on the export of its natural resources such as wood, grain, minerals, and petroleum. Nonetheless, more than two-thirds of its GDP comes from its service sector.

Other major economic indicators are:

Importantly, the 1989 Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the US removed the majority of trading tariffs between the countries. The Bank of Canada is also a major influence on the Canadian Dollar as it enacts policies that promote economic and employment growth. Daily, weekly, monthly, and annual exchange rate charts are available on the BoC website.

Final Word On Trading USD/CAD

The USD/CAD currency pair promises volume, volatility, and tight spreads, which provide plenty of opportunity to yield profits. However, there are many factors to consider, like economic data releases, central bank statements, and the latest market news.

You must be ready to conduct your own expert analysis, utilize interactive daily, weekly and historical charts, trends, and news resources. Make sure to maximize the quality of your trades in the ideal window when the pair is most liquid. You can also invest via trusted OTC brokers such as Pepperstone and Oanda. If you follow the guidelines outlined on this page, you too can go in search of those rich forex profits.

FAQs

When Is The Best Time To Trade USD/CAD?

The USD/CAD market hours align with the North American trading session between 08:00 and 17:00 EST. This is when the FX pair is most liquid and volatile. Invest your trading capital during these times to improve the quality of trades.

How Much Is 1 USD In CAD?

The USD to CAD exchange rate is always shifting. See a live chart for the latest rate between the two popular currencies.

Is The USD Stronger Than The CAD?

The historical exchange rate of the two is always fluctuating, with both currencies being stronger than the other across various points. However, in the last few years, the US Dollar has maintained a superior position to that of the Canadian Dollar.

Can I E-Transfer USD To CAD?

There are many services available today that allow you to e-transfer USD to CAD and vice versa. For example, TD provides competitive exchange rates and ensures your transactions are processed safely and securely.

Should I Trade With USD/CAD?

When done effectively, the profit potential can be fruitful. This is because USD/CAD provides high volumes and tight spreads. It also features two key currencies, with the US Dollar being the world’s top reserve currency. Investors can make use of simple strategies like trading based on bounces from trend lines or from support and resistance levels. Alternatively, you can opt for more aggressive strategies that deliver large profits in a short space of time. A proactive, reactive, or mixed approach to the news can also prove prosperous during major economic releases.