Canadian markets have begun discussing rate cuts, and that’s a reason we might not see one this year. BMO Capital Markets wrote to investors over the weekend, outlining their expectations for a rate hike this week. Their forecast currently sees the Bank of Canada (BoC) hitting pause after the next hike, but they warn it might not be the top. Strong fundamentals, inflationary risks, and market expectations may fuel future hikes.
Bank of Canada Forecast To Hike Rates This Week
The BoC is expected to raise the overnight rate this week, entering the restrictive territory it has previously discussed. BMO is calling a 25 basis point (bps) hike that will tie the overnight rate with the two decade high. Expectations are this will be the top for the year, but they warn not to rule out the possibility of further hikes.
“…with inflation still well above target, we anticipate that Governor Macklem and the Governing Council will leave the door open to further hikes just in case the data forces their hand,” argues Benjamin Reitzes, BMO rate and macro strategist.
Despite the market generally expecting cuts by fall, he says the BoC may surprise. There are good reasons to not discount the possibility of further increases.
Canada’s Fundamentals Are Strong & May Not Require Easing
There’s plenty of talk of a recession but Canada’s showing very few signs of weakening fundamentals. Core CPI, the BoC’s preferred measure of inflation, is still above 5%—significantly higher than the 2% target rate they try to maintain. Economic activity is still very strong, with employment printing another near record gain in December.
One weak spot was the BoC Business Outlook Survey last week. It showed sentiment is eroding, but businesses still see growth. Momentum is slowing, but Reitzes points to the fact that’s an intended move from the BoC. They’re trying to cool the overheated economy and bring inflation lower.
An Inflationary Spiral Is A Bigger Risk Than Tight Credit
BMO also argues the BoC may hike for the purposes of risk management. They would rather be too tight and fix that with easing later, than too loose and have inflation spiral out of control. The latter is a much bigger problem, and more difficult to pull back without a much sharper cooling event. Being too cautious is better than being too loose in this case.
“While the recent inflation news has been somewhat encouraging, there’s no guarantee that the trend continues. Inflation risks remain on the upside, even if less so than a few months ago,” he said.
The BoC May Be Forced To Hike Due To Market Expectations of A Cut
Get ready to fire up a new investment round, since the market is pricing in cuts by this fall, right? That would be one of the exact reasons that can restrict the BoC from cutting. If expectations slant towards easing, economic activity can start to reignite before it cools down. In this case, they risk further inflation before reaching their goal, argues Reitzes.
“While the BoC isn’t overly occupied with the market, easier financial conditions work counter to the goal of dampening inflation pressure, and cannot be a welcome development.” he says.
BMO sees fundamentals, risk management, and the market pointing to a hike of 25 bps. Though Reitzes notes, the BoC has the tendency to try and surprise. This helps to keep a central bank relevant by preventing people from acting contrary to its goal at the moment.
For that reason, he says don’t rule out a pause at this week’s meeting. Even in this event, they’ll keep the door open for more hikes. Especially if core inflation proves to be stickier than anticipated.
The headlines are creating the narrative that this hike is the end! Between that and tech layoffs, the markets have never seemed happier.
Perfect! Make capital less accessible, thus retarding investment in business development and working capital, thus leading to more layoffs, thus leading to more misery, thus leading to fire-sales.
Why did the govt not use the previous easing to increase industrial activity? Why is all the blame (and pain) being put on the most unorganized lobby i.e., the home owner? How come we’re not being shown any data on corporate profits in 2021-2022, to see whether inflation was caused by a real estate market gone nuts or by increase in corporate profits during a taxing time? Why is a net producer country not able to reduce prices at the pump?
Look at how much money your cronies made, and you wouldn’t have to raise rates so much!
0.25 above 4% old neutral. Rates have 2/3% to go before inflation aka fear sets in. People with money are still spending and businesses are too to keep/steal younger workers from competitors. Boomers retiring en mass = spare salaries to capture future growth: 30-40 year old workers.
Remember, Canadian businesses have to compete with American dollars being flung around willy nilly after epic money printing by the fed.
Okay
Finally Rates normalizing. Expect 5-7%. Banks won’t be going down long time. Normalcy is taking place. ✅
This is the pure corruption by govt. Why they are putting burden on homeowners and new home buyers instead of revealing data of big corporation’s tax evasion. Why this government doesn’t have any set policy? Why did you close your oil field and importing oil from US and middle east? Why you put ban on new jobs and why only Indians are being appointed in the immigration department? Why govt. Is so failed in any new projects? Why businesses are being closed in Canada? Only Walmart from the US will be running in the future zellers, target, sears, bay all canadian businesses are out of the market. This is the most worst times in the industry. This moron govt and its extreme dependency on US will leave Canadians in the middle of no where. Canada has more reserves in water but water bills are still so high. Cheap producer of electricity again hydro is way more expensive than past. Groceries and other essentials are taxed. Why they want more people to come to Canada every year when they can’t manage their in land human capital?