Canada Economics Update Hopes abound for an unlikely housing soft landing The sharp slowdown in existing home sales is grim news for the new housing industry, which continues to build above population requirements. We expect these growing demand and supply imbalances to... 9th January 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Falling inflation another concern for policymakers The slump in Canadian inflation over the second half of last year makes it even more likely that the Bank of Canada will soon abandon any pretence of hiking interest rates in 2013. Headline CPI... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Labour Force Survey (Dec.) There is no denying the strength apparent in Canada's labour market at the end of 2012. Employment increased by nearly 40,000 in December, driving the unemployment rate down to a four-year low of 7.1%... 4th January 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly How will 2013 differ from 2012? Our bearish call a year ago for moderate to weak GDP growth, subdued inflation and prolonged low interest rates is looking prescient now that the slumping housing market threatens to upset Canada's... 24th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response GDP by Industry (Oct.) & CPI (Nov.) The 0.1% m/m gain in October's GDP, which partly reflected a rebound in oil and gas extraction, suggests that the economy began the fourth quarter on a somewhat stronger footing. The pace of economic... 21st December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Retail Sales (Oct. 12) The 0.3% m/m bounce back in retail sales volumes in October, together with the large increase in wholesale trade reported yesterday, suggest that monthly GDP inched higher, stronger than the... 20th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economic Outlook Housing downturn intensifies A prolonged housing downturn means that economic growth will be much weaker over the next two years. Gains in business investment and somewhat better export growth, though, will help to buffer... 20th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Moderating housing trends mimic US slowdown The continued decline in existing home sales support our view that a potentially severe housing correction is underway. Assuming that sales continue to trend lower heading into next year, then sharper... 17th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Will the western provinces outperform in 2013? Canada's western provinces, which have outperformed most other provinces over the past two years, are likely to remain on top in 2013. High oil and other commodity prices should continue to benefit... 17th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Survey of Manufacturing (Oct. 12) October's discouraging 2.4% m/m drop in manufacturing sales volumes together with the soft external trade data, released earlier this week, suggest that the economy stalled in October. Accordingly... 14th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response International Merchandise Trade (Oct. 12) October's flat export volumes are a discouraging sign for fourth-quarter GDP growth. In addition, the widespread decline in imports hints at a slowing domestic economy. Overall, the data suggest that... 11th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Housing investment decline likely to worsen The declining trend in housing starts supports our view that a housing correction is underway. The slump in new and existing home sales suggest that this slowdown will worsen next year, hitting the... 10th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Business spending renaissance won't improve productivity The recent improvement in business capital spending has prompted speculation that a business productivity renaissance is at hand. This seems like wishful thinking. The majority of the growth in recent... 10th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Labour Force Survey (Nov.) November's surprisingly strong 59,300 gain in employment (the consensus estimate was 10,000) seems far too good for an economy that is still growing below its potential rate. Given the uncertain... 7th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Chart Pack Export growth likely to remain hard fought Global manufacturing PMI data for November indicate that Canada's non-energy exports will remain broadly stagnant in the near term. The recovery in US home building and auto sales, however, should... 6th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Small business confidence suggest below potential Q4 GDP Although the monthly small business optimism index fell back in November, the quarterly average of our seasonally adjusted measure still points to fourth-quarter GDP growth of just below 2.0%... 5th December 2012 · 1 min read
