A lot more Canadians are suddenly seeking protection from lenders, but no need to ring the alarm — yet, at least. Consumer insolvency filings climbed in May, shows Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) data. It was a substantial increase too, possibly raising concerns about rising rates. While volumes are rising, a base effect […]
Canadians are about to see interest rates they didn’t think were possible in just a few days. BMO made revisions to its overnight rate forecasts this week. At next Wednesday’s meeting, they’re calling the largest rate hike in two decades. That will bring interest rates (and your borrowing costs) to the highest level since 2008. […]
Higher interest rates might force Canadian households to do the unexpected — pay down debt. That was one of the findings in the Bank of Canada (BoC) Survey of Consumer Expectations. The Q2 2022 results show many households plan to change spending behavior if rates rise. It also revealed the average person expects inflation to […]
Canadian real estate has cooled even faster than bears assumed possible. The sales to new listings ratio (SNLR) indicates it’s just getting started. If historic patterns hold true, the market will see all of 2022’s gains disappear by mid-summer. Unless something changes the trend, home prices are heading in the direction of improved affordability. Sales […]
Policymakers have been telling the public that a soft landing is still possible. However, virtually no one believes it, according to BMO Capital Markets. BMO chief economist Douglas Porter recently explained that market expectations are eroding. Yields and commodity prices are cratering against a backdrop of higher inflation. This isn’t typical unless serious doubts have […]
Canadian real estate is probably fine, but the bank regulator just wants your lender to be extra safe. Earlier today, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) sent an advisory on real estate secured lending (RESL). OSFI, who oversees federally-regulated financial institutions (FRFIs), clarified expectations for risky mortgages. Lenders have been asked to […]
Canada will need to pump the breaks to stabilize its overheated economy. That was the message from RBC Economics’ latest research on inflation. Sky-high inflation has forced central banks to adopt an aggressive rate hike schedule. Cooling inflation (and the economy) with rapid rate normalization is now the plan. The slowdown is expected to begin […]
Time for your cheat sheet on this week’s top stories. Canadian Real Estate Canadian Real Estate Cooldown Is Just Getting Started: BMO Slowing Canadian real estate sales are dragging renovation spending lower. An analysis from BMO Capital Markets shows renovation retail spending has begun to fall. Both segments are still elevated but rate hikes are […]
Canadian inflation continues to rocket higher as rate hikes occur at a snail’s pace. The Bank of Canada (BoC) policy rate still isn’t at the level seen at the start of 2020, but annual growth of the consumer price index (CPI) reached 7.7% in May, the highest level since 1983. However, BMO Capital Markets urges […]
Canadian real estate has another indicator showing higher rates are tempering the market. A new analysis from BMO Capital Markets shows housing-related retail sales fell in April. They attribute this to higher rates, and see this as a direct follow up to falling real estate sales. Activity remains elevated but BMO sees things slowing further […]
