Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement
Posted by Ron Neal on Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 at 5:25pm.
Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement - March 10, 2021
The Bank of Canada maintained its overnight rate at 0.25 percent this morning, a level it considers it's effective lower bound. The Bank reiterated what it calls "extraordinary forward guidance" in committing to leaving the overnight rate at 0.25 percent until slack in the economy is absorbed and inflation sustainably returns to its 2 percent target. The Bank projects that will not occur until 2023. The Bank is also continuing its quantitative easing (QE) program, purchasing at least $4 billion of Government of Canada bonds per week. In the statement accompanying the decision, the bank noted that while the near-term outlook for growth is strong, there remains considerable slack in the economy and employment is still well below its pre-COVID levels. Inflation is expected to move modestly higher, largely reflecting base-year effects and deep price declines in some goods and services at the start of the pandemic.
The Bank of Canada was anticipating a second wave-induced contraction of the economy in the first quarter of this year and so finds itself somewhat caught off guard by a vastly improved economic outlook and rising long-term bond yields. The massive $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, the American Rescue Plan, recently passed by the US Congress and good news on the speed of US vaccinations has prompted a re-set of expectations in financial markets as higher economic growth and inflation gets priced into bond yields. While the Bank has continued its quantitative easing program aimed at holding Canadian long-term interest rates down, there is little it can do to combat the pressure on the Canadian yield curve from rising US long-term interest rates. Recognizing the much brighter economic outlook, the Bank may announce a tapering of its QE at its next meeting in April but will stick to its commitment to keep its policy rate on hold until 2023. That would mean a widening gap between fixed and variable mortgage rates over the next year as fixed mortgage rates rise alongside long-term interest rates.
Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/bank-
For more information, please contact:
Brendon Ogmundson Chief Economist 604.742.2796 bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca |
Kellie Fong Economist 778.357.0831 kfong@bcrea.bc.ca |
BCREA is the professional association for more than 23,000 REALTORS® in BC, focusing on provincial issues that impact real estate. Working with the province’s 11 real estate boards, BCREA provides continuing professional education, advocacy, economic research, and standard forms to help REALTORS® provide value for their clients.
To demonstrate the profession's commitment to improving Quality of Life in BC communities, BCREA supports policies that help ensure economic vitality, provide housing opportunities, preserve the environment, protect property owners and build better communities with good schools and safe neighbourhoods.
Talk to our team to learn more
Leave a Comment
The Neal Estate Group is your #1 source for all of your Victoria BC real estate needs. Get in touch with us online or by phone at (250) 386-8181 to speak with a Victoria real estate buying or selling expert today. With decades of experience as a top selling Victoria REALTOR® and ranked in top 1% globally with over 5,000 transactions and $1 Billion SOLD, Ron Neal & The Neal Estate Group have the industry experience and market knowledge to help you make smart and informed buying or selling decisions.