BoC sets overnight rate and weighs in on housing

The Bank of Canada is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1%. The bank rate is 1 .25% and the deposit rate is 0.75%.

Both the total consumer price index and core inflation in Canada are still expected to follow roughly the path outlined in the January Monetary Policy Report, although recent readings were slightly higher than expected. Excess supply in the economy and competition in the retail sector will likely keep inflation well below the 2% target this year, says the bank.

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The global economy is evolving largely as anticipated, with growth expected to strengthen in 2014 and 2015. The United States is still expected to lead the acceleration in advanced economies, although recent data have been softer, largely owing to weather effects. Volatility in global financial markets has increased somewhat, reflecting buoyant market conditions in most advanced economies and increased risk differentiation among emerging markets. More recently, tensions in Ukraine have added to geopolitical uncertainty.

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In Canada, economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2013 was slightly stronger than the bank anticipated, and upward revisions earlier in the year further raised the level of GDP. The bank still expects underlying growth of around 2.5% in 2014, with the current quarter likely to be softer. Exports have been a little stronger than previously thought but continue to under-perform, and overall business investment has yet to pick up. Meanwhile, recent data support the bank’s expectation of a soft landing in the housing market and stabilizing debt-to-income ratios for households.

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On the whole, the fundamental drivers of growth and inflation in Canada continue to strengthen gradually, as anticipated. With inflation expected to be well below target for some time, the downside risks to inflation remain important. At the same time, the risks associated with elevated household imbalances have not materially changed. The bank judges that the balance of risks remains within the zone for which the current stance of monetary policy is appropriate and therefore has decided to maintain the target for the overnight rate at 1%. The timing and direction of the next change to the policy rate will depend on how new information influences this balance of risks.

The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is April 16.

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.