The post Canada: Stable card trends support cautious optimism – RBC appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) analysts Abbey Xu and Rachel Battaglia report that June spending by RBC Canadian cardholders remained relatively stable, with core retail sales up modestly. Discretionary goods led gains, while essential spending including gasoline also contributed. Excluding gasoline, essential spending improved, and households appear cautiously optimistic into summer despite higher energy prices and selectivity on larger discretionary purchases. Card data show steady retail momentum “Growth in RBC Canadian cardholder spending held relatively stable in June as consumers continued to balance higher costs for essentials while selectively spending on seasonal experiences such as sporting events.” “Our estimate of core retail sales from cardholder transactions (excluding purchases of gasoline and autos) edged up 0.5% in June on a three-month average, similar to May, suggestin
The post Canada: Labour market steadying with modest improvement – RBC appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) economist Nathan Janzen notes that Canadian labour markets showed further signs of stabilisation in June, following a stronger improvement in May. Employment rose modestly, while per-worker conditions improved and the unemployment rate edged down to 6.5%. Janzen highlights softer population growth, firmer economic data and lower U.S. tariff rates as supporting factors, and expects further unemployment declines later in 2026. Labour data supports gradual recovery view “Canadian labour markets showed further signs of steadying in June after a larger improvement in May.” “The employment increase itself in June (+18k) left the measure still down 6k on net for the year.” “But we continue to think that slower employment gains should be expected given a sharp slowing in Canadian population growth.” “Critically, controlling for changes in the demographic backdr
The post Canada: Trade surplus widens as investment rises – RBC appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) economists Abbey Xu and Nathan Janzen note that Canada’s merchandise trade surplus increased to $4.2 billion in May from $3.4 billion in April, as exports grew and imports slipped. They highlight weaker energy price support, falling export volumes, and rising industrial machinery imports as signs of shifting demand and improving business investment within an uncertain trade environment. Surplus grows as volumes soften “Canada’s merchandise trade surplus widened to $4.2 billion in May from $3.4 billion in April (revised upward from $2.7B), as exports rose 0.9% while imports declined 0.2%.” “Still, monthly trade data are heavily influenced by commodity prices and individual product categories, making it important to look beyond headline values when assessing underlying conditions.” “Export volumes excluding price effects fell 0.5% in May, providing a clearer rea
The post Bank of Canada: Policy seen on hold through 2026 – RBC appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) economist Claire Fan notes that the Q2 2026 Bank of Canada Business Outlook Survey showed resilient sales and investment expectations despite earlier Oil price shocks. With Canadian growth picking up and core inflation still subdued, Fan argues the Bank of Canada (BoC) has little reason to change course and is likely to keep interest rates unchanged through 2026. Rates expected to stay unchanged “With economic growth picking up in Q2 after Q4-Q1 stagnation, and core inflation pressures remaining subdued in latest May, the case for BoC to move in either direction is weak.” “We continue to expect the central bank will opt to leave interest rates unchanged through 2026.” “The Q2 Bank of Canada Business Outlook Survey was conducted in May amid high oil prices due to conflict in the Middle East.” “Against that backdrop, results reflected the expected rising price e
Insider Brief PRESS RELEASE — The Fintech Open Source Foundation (FINOS) has announced the establishment of the FINOS AI Fund and the formation of its dedicated Governing Board. Anchored by Founding Premier Members The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), and NatWest, the Fund is designed to help the industry […]
Insider Brief PRESS RELEASE — Illuminate Financial, the specialist venture capital firm focused on technology for financial services, announced it has raised $135 million for its Early Growth Fund from investors including BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Börse, HSBC, Jefferies, RBC, S&P Global, and TD Securities. The fund targets Series B+ Enterprise AI and Fintech companies at the critical […]
