22 Jan 2016
CAD: No more changes in the offering from BoC - ING
FXStreet (Delhi) – James Knightley, Senior Economist at ING, suggests that a fairly upbeat statement from the Bank of Canada suggests it sees little need for any further rate cuts at this stage.
Key Quotes
“The Bank of Canada (BoC) left the overnight rate target at 0.5%. The market was fairly evenly split between a cut and no change, but the general tone of the accompanying statement suggests that there is little appetite for another rate cut in the near future.
The BoC scaled back its near-term growth expectations given the weakness in commodity-based industries, but emphasise that the economy is increasingly focusing on the non-resource sector and that strong US demand, a weak currency and loose monetary and financial conditions are supportive. Indeed, the BoC remain fairly upbeat on the growth outlook, predicting 1.5% GDP growth this year and 2.5% next. This is versus a 1.8% consensus figure for this year and 2.2% for 2017.
The BoC also highlighted the “resilient” labour market and “the positive impact of fiscal measures expected in the next federal budget”. So, with the risks to the inflation outlook looking “roughly balanced” it appears that we are going to have to see growth disappoint markedly to generate a further move lower in the policy rate. However, should oil prices fall towards US$20/bbl the BoC’s views may be somewhat different.”
Key Quotes
“The Bank of Canada (BoC) left the overnight rate target at 0.5%. The market was fairly evenly split between a cut and no change, but the general tone of the accompanying statement suggests that there is little appetite for another rate cut in the near future.
The BoC scaled back its near-term growth expectations given the weakness in commodity-based industries, but emphasise that the economy is increasingly focusing on the non-resource sector and that strong US demand, a weak currency and loose monetary and financial conditions are supportive. Indeed, the BoC remain fairly upbeat on the growth outlook, predicting 1.5% GDP growth this year and 2.5% next. This is versus a 1.8% consensus figure for this year and 2.2% for 2017.
The BoC also highlighted the “resilient” labour market and “the positive impact of fiscal measures expected in the next federal budget”. So, with the risks to the inflation outlook looking “roughly balanced” it appears that we are going to have to see growth disappoint markedly to generate a further move lower in the policy rate. However, should oil prices fall towards US$20/bbl the BoC’s views may be somewhat different.”