Canada emerging from recession with modest growth projected in 2010: RBC
Economics
Canadian economy remains on course for positive growth by the third quarter of this year
"Improved financial markets, low borrowing rates and fiscal stimulus have moved Canada's economy forward," said
The Canadian economy is set to grow in the second half of this year with a sharp rebound in auto production in the third quarter and a recovery in the housing market leading the charge. The report projects that the Canadian economy will grow by 2.0 and 2.4 per cent in the third and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively, and 2.6 per cent in 2010.
"While the staying power of the recovery at home and abroad is still at risk, we believe the momentum is likely to build as financial markets continue to recover and stimulus spending continues to have a positive impact," added Wright.
Consumer spending, however, is still being weighed down by the 8.7 per cent unemployment rate, which the report anticipates is likely to edge higher by year's end. Improvement is on the horizon in early 2010, when RBC forecasts the stage will be set for the labour market to stabilize, the unemployment rate to begin falling and the hiatus in consumer spending to end. However, with the unemployment rate set to remain historically high, inflation is expected to remain below the Bank of Canada's mid-point target of 2 per cent.
With positive signs emerging in the U.S. economy, RBC has boosted its U.S. forecast for growth over the second half of this year to 1.9 per cent and is anticipating the U.S. real GDP will expand by an average of 2.2 per cent in 2010. The report notes that expected Q3 growth of 2.0 per cent will be the first quarter in the past five to show a positive gain.
Though the return to positive growth in the U.S. is encouraging, the rate of increase in 2010 will only result in modest downward pressure on the unemployment rate. RBC Economics expects this rate to peak at 10.0 per cent late this year and only drop to 9.7 per cent by the end of 2010. A slow labour market is expected to keep inflation very low through the forecast.
A complete copy of the forecast is available as of
For further information: For further information: Craig Wright, RBC Economics, (416) 974-7457; Paul Ferley, RBC Economics, (416) 974-7231; Matt Gierasimczuk, RBC Media Relations, (416) 974-2124
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