While a reprieve on tariffs may be welcomed, the back-and-forth between the U.S. and Canada laid bare Canada’s economic vulnerability amid ongoing political volatility. … READ MORE >
interest rates
U.S. households show robust gains on spending and income
Robust income and spending gains continue to underscore a strong economy that is benefiting not only from real income gains but also from rising equity and home prices. … READ MORE >
Fed pauses rate cuts as inflation flattens out and policy changes loom
The Fed’s decisions set up an inevitable clash with President Trump, who is on record as wanting lower rates in contrast with the hawkish pause adopted by the Fed. … READ MORE >
Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 3% amid price stability, trade policy uncertainty
The Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate to three per cent, but tariff uncertainty looms over Canada’s economic outlook and clouds the future rate path. … READ MORE >
Morning market minute: The questions that Powell will not want to answer
Jerome Powell’s answers to questions about trade and fiscal policy will drive volatility given the sensitivity of the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield and the American dollar to growing policy uncertainty. … READ MORE >
Strong core business spending hints at another robust GDP report
American business spending on core equipment came in higher than forecast in December, with both orders and shipments pointing to strong growth to end the year. … READ MORE >
Morning market minute: Rate path more uncertain as era of fiscal dominance begins
The central bank’s decisions this year will be shaped by the Trump administration’s policies on trade and immigration. … READ MORE >
Morning market minute: Bond market volatility and the Federal Reserve
It is time for the Fed to drop its over-emphasis on data dependency and move to a more strategic view that takes into account the risks to the outlook that will be front and center this year and next. … READ MORE >
To understand rising rates and volatility, look to regime change in global economy
Gone is the era of low inflation, low interest rates, a global savings glut and sagging aggregate demand. In its place is a new framework featuring scarce capital, insufficient aggregate supply, higher inflation and higher interest rates. … READ MORE >
Canada’s consumer price index rises by 1.8% as tax holiday takes hold
Canada’s CPI rose 1.8 per cent in December and declined 0.4 per cent on a monthly basis due to the tax holiday and disinflation forces throughout the economy. … READ MORE >