Bank of Canada Keeps Target For the Overnight Rate at 4.25 %
The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 4.25. The operating band for the overnight rate is unchanged, and the Bank Rate remains at 4.25 %.
Overall, the outlook for economic growth and inflation in Canada is largely unchanged from the April Monetary Policy Report.
The global economic expansion remains robust. Growth in Canada in the first half of 2006 appears to have been a little stronger and the Canadian dollar has traded in a somewhat higher range than was envisaged in the April MPR. As well, there was a further shift in the composition of demand towards consumption and away from exports. Total CPI inflation has remained above the 2 % target, mainly because of increases in consumer energy prices, while core inflation moved up to 2 % slightly sooner than expected. All factors considered, the Canadian economy is currently judged to be operating just above its production capacity.
In 2007 and 2008, growth is projected to be a little weaker than was set out in the April MPR. The additional strength that has developed in domestic demand is expected to persist into next year, but this should be more than offset by a weaker outlook for net exports, owing primarily to the recent strength of the Canadian dollar. With some anticipated moderation in U.S. growth, combined with past interest rate and exchange rate increases, the Canadian economy is projected to return to its production capacity by the end of 2008. Total CPI inflation is expected to average just over 1.5 % from mid-2006 to mid-2007, with the reduction in the Goods and Services Tax lowering the inflation rate by 0.6 % points over this period. Inflation should then return to the 2 % target. Core inflation should remain at about 2 % throughout the projection period.
In line with the Bank's largely unchanged outlook, the current level of the target for the overnight rate is judged at this time to be consistent with achieving the inflation target over the medium term. The Bank will monitor global and domestic economic and financial developments, including adjustments in the Canadian economy, relative to its projection. Risks to the projection remain roughly balanced, with a small tilt to the downside later in the projection period related to global imbalances.
Overall, the outlook for economic growth and inflation in Canada is largely unchanged from the April Monetary Policy Report.
The global economic expansion remains robust. Growth in Canada in the first half of 2006 appears to have been a little stronger and the Canadian dollar has traded in a somewhat higher range than was envisaged in the April MPR. As well, there was a further shift in the composition of demand towards consumption and away from exports. Total CPI inflation has remained above the 2 % target, mainly because of increases in consumer energy prices, while core inflation moved up to 2 % slightly sooner than expected. All factors considered, the Canadian economy is currently judged to be operating just above its production capacity.
In 2007 and 2008, growth is projected to be a little weaker than was set out in the April MPR. The additional strength that has developed in domestic demand is expected to persist into next year, but this should be more than offset by a weaker outlook for net exports, owing primarily to the recent strength of the Canadian dollar. With some anticipated moderation in U.S. growth, combined with past interest rate and exchange rate increases, the Canadian economy is projected to return to its production capacity by the end of 2008. Total CPI inflation is expected to average just over 1.5 % from mid-2006 to mid-2007, with the reduction in the Goods and Services Tax lowering the inflation rate by 0.6 % points over this period. Inflation should then return to the 2 % target. Core inflation should remain at about 2 % throughout the projection period.
In line with the Bank's largely unchanged outlook, the current level of the target for the overnight rate is judged at this time to be consistent with achieving the inflation target over the medium term. The Bank will monitor global and domestic economic and financial developments, including adjustments in the Canadian economy, relative to its projection. Risks to the projection remain roughly balanced, with a small tilt to the downside later in the projection period related to global imbalances.
posted by PondPine.com at 11:19 PM
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