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

March 18, 2026

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Canadian Dollar News - Loonie holds firm as crude supports sentiment

CAD steady as oil-driven inflation concerns support USD while crude stability underpins the loonie. The US dollar rate today is holding firm as rising oil prices linked to the Iran conflict revive concerns that energy-driven inflation could complicate the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook. With markets turning cautious ahead of the Fed’s upcoming policy decision, safe-haven demand and inflation worries are helping the greenback maintain a steady tone. Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar rate today is also relatively stable, supported by stabilizing crude prices that continue to underpin the commodity-linked currency. As a result, the CAD to USD exchange rate is trading within a narrow band as traders balance geopolitical risks, oil market dynamics and expectations for central bank policy signals. With both currencies finding competing sources of support, the exchange rate is likely to remain range-bound until clearer direction emerges from the Federal Reserve’s decision and broader global risk sentiment.

Today's Global Currency Highlights

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

  • USD: US dollar steadies as sentiment deteriorates after Washington calls for a coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, markets now bracing for the Fed verdict.
  • CAD: Canadian dollar stable on elevated oil prices, as markets expect the BoC to keep rates unchanged on Wednesday after inflation cooled more than expected.
  • EUR: Euro struggles to extend its recovery and trades unevenly as oil climbs again, while the EU resists US pressure to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
  • GBP: Sterling holds onto a part of its gains but remains pressured amid uncertainty over how the US-Iran conflict could affect inflation and policy expectations.
  • JPY: Yen reverses early losses against the USD and turns marginally positive as markets expect both the Fed and the BoJ to leave rates unchanged this week.
  • AUD: Aussie dollar extends overnight gains after the RBA delivers a 25 bps hike, traders now await remarks from Bullock for clues on the policy outlook.

CAD Daily Performance Against Global Currencies

PairRatesDailyRanges

Today's Economic Calendar

In today’s daily FX spotlight, traders are closely following the economic calendar as key US labour and housing indicators take centre stage. The release of US ADP Employment Change Weekly will offer an early signal on labour market momentum, with a stronger reading likely to support the US dollar today by reinforcing expectations of continued economic resilience. Meanwhile, US Pending Home Sales will provide additional insight into the health of the housing sector and broader economic activity. Together, these releases could influence market sentiment and drive short-term moves across currency markets. As a result, the daily FX outlook will remain sensitive to how these figures shape expectations for growth and policy direction, while the Canadian dollar today may continue to track broader US dollar dynamics.

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Canadian Dollar Daily Outlook

The latest Canadian dollar news suggests the loonie is holding a cautious but stable tone, with the Canadian dollar rate today supported by relatively firm oil prices and expectations that the Bank of Canada will maintain its current policy stance. Markets widely anticipate that the BoC will keep interest rates unchanged after recent data showed inflation easing more than expected, reducing pressure for immediate policy tightening. At the same time, broader market sentiment remains sensitive to global developments and the upcoming Federal Reserve decision, which could influence cross-border capital flows. As a result, the Canadian dollar rate today may continue to trade in a narrow range, with oil price movements and central bank guidance likely to play a key role in shaping near-term direction.

USD/CAD Daily Update

What’s the USD/CAD rate today?
On March 18, 2026, the USD/CAD pair is trading at 1.36919, representing a 0.01% move in the last 24 hours.

USD/CAD highlights
  • USD steady on safe-haven demand: The US dollar holds firm as deteriorating sentiment following Washington’s call to secure the Strait of Hormuz boosts demand for safe-haven assets, keeping USD/CAD supported.
  • Fed decision in focus for USD direction: Markets are now bracing for the upcoming Federal Reserve verdict, with policy signals expected to shape near-term CAD to USD flows.
  • Loonie stable on elevated oil prices: The Canadian dollar remains steady as higher crude prices continue to underpin the commodity-linked currency, helping limit upside in USD/CAD.
  • BoC decision eyed for CAD momentum: Investors expect the Bank of Canada to keep interest rates unchanged after inflation cooled more than anticipated, leaving CAD to USD sentiment cautiously balanced.

Economic news impacting USD/CAD today

  • US ADP Employment Change Weekly
  • US Pending Home Sales

Daily trading range

USD/CAD pair is fluctuating within a recent 1.3600–1.3800 range and holding near the upper end of that band with a modest upward bias.

Looking for the best USD/CAD exchange rate?

EUR/CAD Daily Update

What’s the EUR/CAD rate today?
On March 18, 2026, the EUR/CAD pair is trading at 1.57968, representing a 0.03% move in the last 24 hours.

EUR/CAD highlights

  • Euro struggles to extend recovery as oil rises: The euro trades unevenly as climbing oil prices weigh on sentiment, limiting the currency’s ability to build momentum and keeping EUR/CAD capped.
  • Energy concerns pressure euro outlook: Higher energy costs continue to cloud the eurozone outlook, leaving CAD to EUR flows cautious despite the recent attempt at recovery.
  • Geopolitical tensions add to euro uncertainty: The EU’s resistance to US pressure to secure the Strait of Hormuz keeps geopolitical risks elevated, preventing a stronger rebound in EUR/CAD.

Economic news impacting EUR/CAD today

  • ECB President Lagarde's Speech

Daily trading range

EUR/CAD today is fluctuating within a recent 1.5650–1.5850 range and holding near the upper end of that band with a modest upward bias.

Save more on the EUR/CAD exchange rate.

GBP/CAD Daily Update

What’s the GBP/CAD rate today?
On March 18, 2026, the GBP/CAD pair is trading at 1.82891, representing a 0.04% move in the last 24 hours.

GBP/CAD highlights

  • Sterling holds partial gains amid geopolitical uncertainty: The pound manages to retain part of its recent advance, though upside momentum remains limited as markets assess the broader impact of the US–Iran conflict.
  • Conflict-driven inflation risks weigh on sterling outlook: Rising geopolitical tensions are raising concerns about renewed inflation pressures, keeping CAD to GBP flows cautious as investors reassess policy expectations.
  • Policy uncertainty caps sterling recovery: Ongoing uncertainty about how the conflict may influence central bank policy is preventing stronger demand for the pound, leaving GBP/CAD trading under mild pressure.

Economic news impacting GBP/CAD today

  • Unemployment Rate (Thursday)
  • BoE Interest Rate Decision (Thursday)

Daily trading range

GBP/CAD is fluctuating within a recent 1.8150–1.8350 range and holding near the upper end of that band with a modest upward bias.

Don't overpay on CAD to GBP exchange rate.

CAD/JPY Daily Update

What’s the CAD/JPY rate today?
On March 18, 2026, the CAD/JPY pair is trading at 116.075, representing a -0.03% move in the last 24 hours.

CAD/JPY highlights

  • Yen trims earlier losses as policy outlook stabilizes: The Japanese yen reverses its early decline and turns slightly positive as expectations grow that both the Fed and the BoJ will keep interest rates unchanged.
  • Policy pause expectations support yen sentiment: Markets anticipating steady policy from both central banks are helping stabilize CAD to JPY flows after recent volatility.
  • Cautious positioning ahead of central bank decisions: With traders awaiting policy signals from the Fed and the BoJ later this week, CAD/JPY is holding in a steady range as investors remain cautious.

Economic news impacting CAD/JPY today

  • Trade Balance

Daily trading range

CAD/JPY today is fluctuating within a recent 115.50–117.00 range and holding near the middle of that band with a modestly steady bias.

Get bank-beating CAD to JPY exchange rates.

Ash Abbasi

Written by

Ash Abbasi

Director of Sales
LinkedIn

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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