Consumers and businesses keeping Canada's economy on firm
footing, says RBC Economics
TORONTO, October 13, 2006 — Canada's economy
is expected to grow by 2.8 per cent in 2006 and 2.7 per cent
in 2007, according to the latest economic forecast from RBC.
Thanks to a strong domestic economy, Canada performed well
in 2004 and 2005, despite an appreciating Canadian dollar
and rising energy prices. Growth in 2006 is expected to be
only slightly slower, as consumer and business spending mitigates
the drag coming from the trade sector.
"Despite slower growth for the second quarter of 2006,
Canada's domestic economy actually grew at a robust four per
cent annual rate," said Craig Wright, vice-president
and chief economist, RBC. "The trade sector subtracted
more than four percentage points from the quarterly growth
rate."
According to the report, Canada's trade sector has pulled
down GDP growth over the past two years, with import growth
outpacing exports. RBC expects this to persist in 2006, as
waning U.S. demand for products like motor vehicles and lumber,
weigh on exports. The weaker, but still strong, Canadian dollar
will continue to fuel import demand for machinery and equipment
as Canadian businesses bolster investment.
The U.S. economy is expected to grow at about 2.5 per cent
in the second half of 2006 and in 2007. The report cites slower
consumer spending and a cooling in the housing market as the
main factors moderating U.S. economic growth.
Although RBC forecasts that short-term Canadian interest
rates have peaked, market rates will edge a bit higher in
late 2006. The Canadian dollar is expected to weaken to 85.5
U.S. cents at year-end 2006 and 80.6 U.S. cents at year-end
2007.
"With a Canadian economic outlook of near-potential
growth and only a modest increase in core inflation, we expect
the Bank of Canada to hold the policy rate at 4.25 per cent
to ensure that the domestic economy is strong enough to withstand
a period of slower U.S. demand for Canadian exports,"
said Wright. "The Bank of Canada's next move is likely
to be an ease, but not until the fourth quarter of next year
as Canada's domestic economy will remain buoyant."
In the U.S., slowing growth and rising inflation pressures
will keep the U.S. Federal Reserve on the sidelines. A sustained
period of below potential growth and moderating inflation
are likely to spur the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut rates in
the third quarter of 2007.
A complete copy of the forecast is available as of 8 a.m.
E.D.T., at www.rbc.com/economics/market/pdf/fcst.pdf.
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For more information, please contact:
Craig Wright, RBC Economics, 416-974-7457
Beja Rodeck, RBC Media Relations, 416-974-5506
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