CDN MORTGAGE TRENDS: Bank of Canada decision: Rate hold expected, but debate over future hikes persists
Weaker-than-expected GDP data last week likely sealed the deal for a rate hold tomorrow by the Bank of Canada. But not all economists are convinced that this marks the end of the current rate-hike cycle.
Statistics Canada reported on Friday that second-quarter economic growth contracted by 0.2% compared to Q1, well down from the Bank of Canada’s 1.5% forecast for the quarter. The surprising slowdown in economic growth, together with rising unemployment and easing inflation, firmed up the consensus expectation for a rate hold at tomorrow’s monetary policy meeting.
It also led to some suggesting we’re now reached the end of the current rate-hike cycle.
“The broad softening in the domestic economy will almost certainly move the BoC to the sidelines at next week’s rate decision after back-to-back hikes,” wrote BMO chief economist Douglas Porter. “Between the half-point rise in the unemployment rate, the marked slowing in GDP, and some cooling in core inflation, it now looks like rate hikes are over and done.”
But not everyone is convinced ...
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