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    Canada’s imports totalled $66.93B in December, up from $66.14B the previous month.

    by VT Markets
    /
    Feb 19, 2026
    Canada’s imports were $66.93 billion in December. This compares with $66.14 billion in the previous period. The increase to $66.93 billion suggests solid domestic demand going into the new year. That points to a Canadian economy that may be more resilient than expected, which could affect how the Bank of Canada thinks about policy. It also pushes back on the idea of a fast-cooling economy that shaped much of the second half of 2025. With that in mind, we should look at trades that benefit from a stronger Canadian dollar. The USD/CAD rate has been stable near 1.34, but that may not hold if the economy stays strong—especially since the January 2026 jobs report showed unemployment steady at a low 5.1%. Traders could consider buying CAD call options or selling out-of-the-money puts on USD/CAD to position for a move lower in the pair. This data also changes the outlook for interest rate derivatives. Markets had been pricing possible Bank of Canada rate cuts in summer 2026, but continued strength makes that less certain. To position for “higher for longer” rates, we could look at options on CORRA futures that benefit if the central bank delays easing. For equities, this points to ongoing support for Canadian consumer-focused companies. Many retailers gave cautious guidance in late 2025, and the import data may hint at better-than-expected results ahead. Call options on the S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Discretionary Index, or on specific large-cap retail names, could be a practical way to gain exposure.

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