The Bank of Canada's latest decision to leave interest rates unchanged in September 2023 can be attributed to several key factors. In my line of work I take a keen interest in economic matters, so in this video I'm hoping to provide insights into why this decision was made:
- Economic Uncertainty: In September 2023, there still seem to be a lot of economic uncertainties, such as global trade tensions, geopolitical issues (i.e. wars), and oil prices. For now, the central bank want to sit back and maintain interest rates to provide some stability, barring more unexpected increases in inflation.
- Global Economic Conditions: The Bank of Canada considers global economic conditions, as they can impact Canada's economy. Around the world many economies are uncertain or unstable, maintaining rates can act as a form of insurance against potential economic shocks.
- Domestic Economic Indicators: The central bank monitors various domestic indicators, including employment data, GDP growth, and consumer spending. These seem to be trending as expected, and hopefully that continues as we approach the October BoC meeting.
- Mortgage and Housing Market: Given the importance of the housing market, the Bank of Canada also assess the impact of interest rate changes on mortgages and housing. The huge rate increases over the past 2 years have led to a dramatic increase in many homeowners mortgage payments. And with many more people set to renew at much higher rates over the next 2 years we have yet to see the full economic impact of those higher rates.
In summary, the Bank of Canada's decision to leave rates unchanged likely reflects a combination of economic factors, including stability, meeting inflation targets, global conditions, and considerations related to the housing market. The central bank's goal is to ensure the continued well-being of the Canadian economy while also addressing the needs and concerns of various stakeholders, including those in the real estate and mortgage industry.
Tags: bank of canada, rates, interest rates