The Australian and New Zealand dollars will be in play tonight with the Australian employment report and New Zealand retail sales due for release.
After two strong months of job growth, we expect the labor market to slow materially especially after Westpac reported that consumer confidence fell to the lowest level in 15 years. As for New Zealand, stronger credit card spending points to stronger retail sales. Meanwhile the Canadian dollar has also gained strength against the greenback thanks to surprisingly good economic data earlier this week and the continual rise in oil prices. We are closing in on $110 a barrel and as long as the US dollar continues to fall, oil prices will continue to rise. Canadian capacity utilization is due for release tomorrow, but that should not have any meaningful impact on the CAD.