Canadians are still saving at an elevated rate, but it’s on the path to normalization — that’s a good thing. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows the household savings rate fell to 6.4% in Q4 2021. The rate was 9% in the previous quarter and 11.4% in the same quarter last year. A shrinking savings […]
Canadian employment made huge gains, as the economy continues to bounce back. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) reported employment increased by 337,000 (+1.8%) jobs in February. Rising jobs pushed the unemployment rate down to just 5.5%, the lowest since May 2019, before public health measures. Experts see the robust employment gains supporting much higher interest rates. […]
We’re only two months into the year but Canada’s real estate market is seeing the inventory story change fast. An analysis from RBC shows key markets have seen inventory improve for February. The bank hesitates to call it a trend, but markets are getting close to “balanced.” As interest rates rise, home sales are expected […]
The global energy shock is driving costs higher everywhere, and Canadians can feel it at the pump. BMO Capital Markets took a stab at estimating the consumer impact from rising prices. Their research shows gas was ~$1.80/liter on Monday, up from $1.60/liter last week. That’s on top of the increase from last year, sending costs […]
Canada’s economy was briefly less dependent on real estate, but that was short-lived. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows residential investment outpaced GDP in Q4 2021. As a share of GDP, residential investment is under last year’s record, but rising quickly. An increased reliance on real estate is a trend that began over two decades […]
A Canadian Big Six bank took on a key narrative from the central bank in a research note to clients this weekend. BMO Capital Markets‘ Rates and Macro Strategist Benjamin Reitzes addressed remarks from the Bank of Canada (BoC) Governor Tiff Macklem. Last week the Governor said high inflation was a supply issue, and low […]
Canadian real estate got some more bad news this week — building intentions are once again back in correction territory. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows building permits made further declines in January. A sign of future activity, consistent declines may show building is past its peak. Permits are still much higher than was normal […]
Real estate investors were cautioned that risk happens fast, from Canada’s oldest bank. BMO Capital Markets warned clients to expect the housing market to “be tested.” Higher interest rates and the end of “too loose” policy are expected to cool price growth. In frothy real estate markets, sentiment can shift very fast when prices slow, […]
Canadian real estate prices just turned the least affordable it has been in decades. A National Bank of Canada (NBF) analysis shows affordability worsened in Q4 2021. They found this was the case for every quarter last year, as low rates encouraged higher prices. As the overnight rate rises, housing affordability is expected to further […]
Canadian household budgets aren’t just getting hit by inflation — they’re taking home less too. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows household disposable income contracted in Q4 2021. This is the second consecutive quarter disposable income dropped, and it’s been a significant decline from the peak. Not great, but expected as the economy improved and […]
