Surprise Dovish Turn: Bank of Canada Governor Macklem Signals Rate Cuts Ahead

Canadian Dollar Faces Crucial Weeks: Inflation Report and Retail Sales to Shape Rate Expectations

CAD: Macklem turns dovish

The Canadian dollar is lagging other pro-cyclical currencies at the start of this week after Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said in a TV interview yesterday that he expects rates to be cut next year. This is a surprise statement by Macklem, who only two weeks ago reiterated the hawkish bias in the BoC policy statement. Offering a timeline for rate cuts appears inconsistent with the BoC's claim that it “remains prepared to raise the policy rate further if needed” and likely validates the market’s pricing for 100bp of easing next year – despite Macklem’s caveats on the disinflation progress.

Despite our view of a dollar decline and outperformance of pro-cyclical currencies next year, we expect the Canadian dollar to underperform other commodity currencies as the BoC cuts rates aggressively (we estimate 150bp in 2024) on a grim economic outlook and as the loonie suffers from its correlation with US economic data.

Canadian Dollar Faces Crucial Weeks: Inflation Report and Retail Sales to Shape Rate Expectations

ING Economics

INGs global economists and strategists tell you whats happening and is likely to happen in the world of global markets.

Our analysis and forecasts will help you respond and stay a step ahead in the world of macroeconomics, central banks, FX, commodities and everything else in between. Visit ING.com.

Follow ING Economics on social media:

Twitter | LinkedIn