Forecast and Trends: Canadian Dollar Today

Understand global finance dynamics by tracking key players, like the euro, pound, and the Canadian dollar today, including monitoring the USD to CAD exchange rate, as they respond to the daily exchange rates, economic shifts, market sentiment, and international trade flows using a currency converter.

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Ash AbbasiWritten by Ash Abbasi

February 18, 2026

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Canadian Dollar News - CAD pares losses as BoC outlook shifts

USD/CAD performance is holding in a mixed and cautious range, with the US dollar rate today trading unevenly as investors avoid large positions ahead of key durable goods and housing releases, alongside the closely watched FOMC meeting minutes. This wait-and-see stance is keeping the exchange rate supported but lacking clear directional momentum. Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar rate today is paring some of its CPI-driven losses as the USD fails to extend its advance, though renewed vulnerability is emerging as markets raise expectations for potential BoC rate cuts. Until fresh US data and central bank signals provide clearer guidance, CAD to USD is likely to remain range-bound and highly reactive to shifting policy expectations.

Today's Global Currency Highlights

A quick view of the CAD today against the USD and other major currencies.

  • USD: US dollar trades mixed as investors avoid large positions ahead of durable goods and housing data, alongside the closely watched FOMC meeting minutes.
  • CAD: Loonie pares CPI-driven losses as the USD fails to extend its advance, but renewed vulnerability emerges as markets raise BoC rate cut bets.
  • EUR: Euro remains on the defensive amid a modest USD rebound as reports that ECB President Lagarde may step down before the end of term add pressure.
  • GBP: Sterling edges higher but remains vulnerable to swings after UK inflation cools to 3% YoY, strengthening expectations of a more dovish BoE stance.
  • JPY: Yen continues to oscillate within its recent range as the bearish tone returns, with weak GDP data reviving concerns over Japan’s fiscal stability.
  • AUD: Aussie retreats from record highs as the USD attracts fresh demand, divergent Fed–RBA outlooks continue to lend support ahead of employment data.

CAD Daily Performance Against Global Currencies

PairRatesDailyRanges

Today's Economic Calendar

In today’s daily FX spotlight, attention turns to a busy economic calendar, with Canadian inflation data taking centre stage on the FX calendar. Canada’s CPI release will be crucial for shaping expectations around the Bank of Canada’s next policy steps, with a sticky print likely to support the Canadian dollar today, while any downside surprise could soften the loonie’s tone. Wholesale sales will provide an additional read on domestic demand conditions. In the US, the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index will offer an early signal on regional activity, influencing sentiment around the US dollar today as markets remain sensitive to shifting growth and inflation signals on both sides of the border.

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Canadian Dollar Daily Outlook

The latest Canadian dollar news points to a cautiously constructive outlook, with the Canadian dollar rate today likely to be driven by Canada’s CPI release and broader inflation expectations. A firm or sticky inflation print could reinforce hawkish BoC pricing and help the loonie hold its underlying support, while a softer outcome may revive easing bets and cap gains. With wholesale sales adding context on domestic demand, the Canadian dollar is expected to remain range-bound but reactive, taking its near-term cue from inflation surprises and shifts in cross-border rate expectations.

USD/CAD Daily Update

What’s the USD/CAD rate today?
On February 18, 2026, the USD/CAD pair is trading at 1.36446, representing a 0.07% move in the last 24 hours.

USD/CAD highlights
  • USD ticks higher as markets return: The US dollar edges modestly higher as trading resumes after the Presidents’ Day lull, keeping USD/CAD supported.
  • Fed commentary now in focus: Investors are watching fresh Fed remarks for guidance on the policy outlook, shaping near-term CAD to USD flows.
  • CAD slips slightly but stays firm: The Canadian dollar edges lower but retains an underlying supportive tone, leaving USD/CAD largely range-bound.
  • CPI seen reinforcing hawkish BoC bias: Markets expect sticky inflation to bolster hawkish BoC expectations, helping underpin CAD to USD direction.

Economic news impacting USD/CAD today

  • Canada Inflation Rate
  • Canada Wholesale Sales
  • US NY Empire State Manufacturing Index

Daily trading range

USD/CAD pair is fluctuating within a recent 1.3600–1.3750 range and holding near the lower-middle of that band with a modest neutral-to-soft bias.

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EUR/CAD Daily Update

What’s the EUR/CAD rate today?
On February 18, 2026, the EUR/CAD pair is trading at 1.61583, representing a 0.03% move in the last 24 hours.

EUR/CAD highlights

  • Euro weakens on softer sentiment data: The euro trades lower after German and broader eurozone sentiment figures deteriorate more than expected, pressuring EUR/CAD.
  • ECB easing bets weigh on EUR tone: The weaker outlook is adding fuel to speculation of further ECB easing, limiting upside in CAD to EUR moves.
  • EUR outlook remains cautious: With confidence fading, EUR/CAD may stay biased lower unless incoming data stabilises or ECB messaging shifts.

Economic news impacting EUR/CAD today

  • ECB Schnabel's Speech (Wednesday)

Daily trading range

EUR/CAD today is fluctuating within a recent 1.6100–1.6300 range and holding near the lower-middle of that band with a mildly soft bias.

Save more on the EUR/CAD exchange rate.

GBP/CAD Daily Update

What’s the GBP/CAD rate today?
On February 18, 2026, the GBP/CAD pair is trading at 1.85227, representing a 0.19% move in the last 24 hours.

GBP/CAD highlights

  • Sterling slides after labour data disappointment: The pound drops sharply from last week’s highs as softer UK job growth weighs on sentiment, pulling GBP/CAD lower.
  • Steady unemployment reinforces dovish BoE view: An unchanged jobless rate is supporting expectations for further easing, limiting strength in CAD to GBP moves.
  • GBP outlook turns cautious: With labour momentum fading, GBP/CAD may remain under pressure unless incoming data improves or BoE guidance shifts.

Economic news impacting GBP/CAD today

  • Inflation Rate (Wednesday)

Daily trading range

GBP/CAD is fluctuating within a recent 1.8450–1.8700 range and holding near the lower end of that band with a mildly soft bias.

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CAD/JPY Daily Update

What’s the CAD/JPY rate today?
On February 18, 2026, the CAD/JPY pair is trading at 112.615, representing a 0.24% move in the last 24 hours.

CAD/JPY highlights

  • Yen edges higher on policy divergence: The Japanese yen ticks up against major peers as Fed–BoJ divergence supports demand, keeping CAD/JPY slightly softer.
  • Intervention fears cap JPY follow-through: Gains remain limited as markets stay cautious amid ongoing concerns about potential Tokyo intervention, restraining JPY/CAD moves.
  • JPY outlook remains tentative: With conviction lacking, CAD/JPY is likely to stay range-bound unless policy signals strengthen or intervention risks fade.

Economic news impacting CAD/JPY today

  • Trade Balance

Daily trading range

CAD/JPY today is fluctuating within a recent 112.00–114.50 range and holding near the lower end of that band with a mildly defensive bias.

Get bank-beating CAD to JPY exchange rates.

Ash Abbasi

Written by

Ash Abbasi

Director of Sales
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Ash Abbasi is the Director of Sales at MTFX, specializing in corporate FX and cross-border payment solutions for Canadian businesses. With a background in sales leadership and account management across global markets, he helps clients optimize international transactions and manage currency risk. Ash holds a degree from Aston Business School and a postgraduate diploma from Humber College.

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