{"id":15258,"date":"2026-09-25T14:09:38","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T14:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbc.com\/en\/economics\/?p=15258"},"modified":"2026-09-25T14:22:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T14:22:23","slug":"canadas-economic-growth-stalled-in-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rbc.com\/en\/economics\/forward-guidance\/canadas-economic-growth-stalled-in-july\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada\u2019s economic growth stalled in July"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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For week of Sept. 28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early industry data suggests the Canadian economy stalled in July, following stronger monthly gains in real gross domestic product from April to June that averaged 0.4%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

July\u2019s manufacturing, wholesale and retail sales data all point to declines in shipments, although manufacturing GDP was likely near flat as weakness was concentrated in petroleum and auto. These sectors are overweighted in sales data relative to their contribution to domestic production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil and gas output likely held steady as rising non-conventional extraction in Alberta offset lower drilling. Housing rebounded in July, supporting another increase in real estate and rental services GDP, though momentum likely waned in August as rising trade tensions dampened buyer confidence<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A preliminary take of August\u2019s GDP should reveal how the economy fared, as trade talks with the United States collapsed, and the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on 5% of imports from Canada on Aug. 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The economy is still on track for more recovery in Q3<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Flat real GDP in July poses downside risk to our Q3 tracking estimate of 1.8% annualized growth. Still, other data are flagging resilience. Hours worked continued to rise strongly in August (up 0.6%), job openings held relatively firm through mid-September, and our tracking<\/a> of RBC card transactions and advance August retail sales data (up 1.3%) also suggest consumer resilience late in Q3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to the Bank of Canada, we expect new tariffs imposed in August will have significant, but narrow effects on the small share of Canadian exports targeted. They may have also driven a rush in pre-tariff shipments to the U.S. before Aug. 22 that will have added to growth volatility in Q3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BoC watching growth data closely ahead of October interest rate decision<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Strong GDP growth in Q2 is unlikely to be repeated to the same extent in the second half of the year, as trade tensions brew. The Bank of Canada flagged new U.S. tariffs could halve GDP growth to under 1% (annualized) in Q4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional government funding support to companies and workers affected by trade disruptions should provide an offset, and help contain the broader economic damage. They are more effective at addressing targeted supply shocks over a blunt tool like interest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the central bank watches for growth risks, they have also become increasingly focused on the potential need to stay ahead of any spreading in (so far well contained) broader inflation pressures from elevated global oil prices and historically wide refinery margins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our base case forecast for now remains that the central bank will hold interest rates in the near term before hiking gradually beginning in early 2027. Incoming data will matter for the October decision, with communications from the BoC continuing to suggest it will be a close call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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