Loonie
The nickname for the Canadian dollar (CAD), which originated among forex traders before becoming common with the public at large. The Loonie is the seventh most traded currency in the world and the sixth most held in foreign exchange reserves; free-floating since 1970, it is sometimes denoted C$ to distinguish it from other dollar currencies.
Related terms
CAD (Canadian Dollar)
The currency of Canada, managed and overseen by the Bank of Canada and also known as the Loonie or Funds. It is frequently traded in pairs such as USD/CAD, GBP/CAD and EUR/CAD.
Read full definitionCurrency Pair
Two currencies quoted against each other, such as GBP/USD. The first is the base currency and the second the quote currency; the price shows how much of the quote currency one unit of the base is worth.
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Spot Rate
The current market exchange rate at which one currency can be bought or sold for immediate delivery. Spot trades typically settle two business days later (T+2).
Read full definitionForward Contract
An agreement to exchange a set amount of one currency for another at a fixed rate on a future date. It locks in today’s rate, protecting a business from adverse currency moves before a payment falls due.
Read full definitionFX Swap
The simultaneous purchase and sale of the same amount of a currency for two different value dates, typically a near leg at spot and a far leg forward. It is used to roll a hedge forward or manage short-term cash-flow timing.
Read full definitionBid-Ask Spread
The difference between the price at which the market will buy a currency (bid) and the price at which it will sell (ask). A tighter spread means lower transaction costs.
Read full definitionPip
The smallest standard increment by which a currency pair moves, usually the fourth decimal place (0.0001). Pips are the common unit for quoting spreads and price movements.
Read full definitionSettlement (T+2)
The point at which both sides of a currency trade actually exchange funds. Most spot FX settles two business days after the trade date, written as T+2.
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