The European Central Bank reduced its policy rate by 25 basis points on Thursday which, following the 25 basis-point rate reduction by the Bank of Canada on Wednesday, represents the first in what we expect will be a series of rate cuts by the G7 central banks this year. The moves in Europe and Canada ... READ MORE >
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In long-awaited shift, Bank of Canada cuts its policy rate to 4.75%,
The Bank of Canada's pivot has finally arrived. After years of raising interest rates and then keeping them elevated, the Bank of Canada dropped the policy rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, signaling a new period of recovery and growth. It was the first rate change for the Bank of Canada ... READ MORE >
Job openings fall to the lowest level since February 2021
The labor market continued to cool at an encouraging pace as elevated interest rates weighed further on overall demand. Job openings fell to 8.06 million in April from a downwardly revised 8.36 million in the previous month, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday. The ... READ MORE >
Bank of Canada preview: A rate cut is desperately needed
The Bank of Canada needs to announce rate cuts during its June 5 meeting to spur economic growth. Any further delay and the bank would risk making a policy error and undermining Canada’s growth outlook. A 25-basis-point rate cut would kickstart the easing cycle, which will unfold gradually over the ... READ MORE >
Manufacturing activity slows in May
Softer manufacturing sentiment in May is within our expectations as elevated interest rates continue to weigh on overall goods demand. The Institute of Supply Management’s manufacturing index fell to 48.7 from 49.2, the lowest level in three months. Over a period of time, a reading above 48.7 indicates ... READ MORE >
RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index: Decline continues in May
Manufacturing activity continues to lag improvements in the general economy. Surveys of manufacturing firms conducted by five regional Federal Reserve banks continue to show the negative impact of a tight monetary policy and the lagged effect of an aggressive fiscal policy. Manufacturing in ... READ MORE >
Spending cools more than expected as Fed contemplates rate cuts
American consumers pulled back in April as a sign of elevated interest rates weighing further on overall demand as fiscal spending from the pandemic wanes. The material slowdown of the labor market in April was also a key factor with income growth essentially unchanged on an inflation-adjusted ... READ MORE >
Global central bank outlook: Reducing rates to bolster growth
After two years of major central banks raising interest rates, the weighted global policy rate stands at a restrictive 7.2%. But with disinflation having taken hold around the world, it is time for central banks to reduce these rates. Usually, the Federal Reserve would lead the way. But with private ... READ MORE >
U.S. new home sales miss forecasts amid rising mortgage rates
New home sales fell below estimates in April as mortgage rates surged to above 7%. The data, released by the Census Bureau on Thursday, pointed to a disappointing month for housing sales, following the drop in April’s existing home sales released on Wednesday. The rebound in inflation in the first ... READ MORE >
Assessing central bank policy in the post-pandemic economy
Following two of the largest economic shocks of recent history, global central banks are approaching a critical juncture. Stagnant global growth amid a structural economic shift demand a policy response by central banks still attempting to restore price stability. This makes decisions on when to ... READ MORE >