UK government debt interest hit a record high in July, totaling ÂŁ7.7 billion, increasing the country's debt-servicing costs and raising concerns about its credit rating ahead of upcoming assessments by credit ratings agencies.
Despite a slight increase in Canada's inflation rate last month, the Bank of Canada remains determined to bring it down to 2%, with the possibility of another rate hike being considered in September. However, some economists believe that the positive overall figures may allow the Bank to pause on rate increases without a significant negative impact.
Canadians are facing financial precarity with concerns about inflation, rising interest rates, and personal debt, with over 50% of Canadians saying they are only $200 away from being unable to meet their financial obligations.
Canadian millennials, especially homeowners, are expected to face significant economic damage and high interest costs in the coming months due to rising interest rates, according to a report by RBC, leaving them vulnerable to job losses and straining their high levels of debt.
Canadian mortgage borrowers are increasingly opting for fixed interest terms, with a record 95% of mortgage originations in June being fixed rate, reflecting a desire to avoid short-term interest rate hikes while not missing out on potential rate cuts in the future.
The Bank of Canada may shift its focus from the output gap to labor market indicators, such as unemployment and wages, in order to make inflation forecasts and guide its interest rate decisions, according to a report by CIBC economists. The report suggests that the labor market has become a more reliable indicator of excess demand or supply, and forecasts that if the job market outlook suggests it's not necessary, there may be no more rate hikes this year and rate cuts in early 2024.
Despite concerns over rising deficits and debt, central banks globally have been buying government debt to combat deflationary forces, which has kept interest rates low and prevented a rise in rates as deficits increase; therefore, the assumption that interest rates must go higher may be incorrect.
Despite reaching record levels of total credit card debt and household debt, Americans are actually managing their debt better than in the past due to inflation masking the impact on balances and lower debt-to-deposit levels, according to an analysis by WalletHub. However, the rising trajectory of credit card debt and the increasing number of households carrying balances raise concerns, especially considering the high interest rates, which can take more than 17 years to pay off and cost thousands of dollars in interest. Meanwhile, savers have the opportunity to earn higher returns on cash due to higher inflation and interest rates.
Canadian homeowners are facing higher borrowing costs as mortgage data from Royal Bank of Canada and Toronto-Dominion Bank show an increase in mortgages with longer amortization periods.
A majority of Canadians believe that companies are using inflation as an excuse to overcharge them, with this view consistent across all income groups, according to a survey by Modus Research. The public's perception is influenced by reports of record profits for major corporations, causing growing economic anxiety among Canadians.
Canadian real estate and the economy are facing challenges, with slowing growth, high debt for millennials, increased fixed-rate mortgages, rising housing prices as an inflation risk, and low mortgage growth prompting concerns.
The second quarter of 2023 saw a consistent rise in borrowing among Canadians, with subprime borrowers experiencing the highest increase in credit balances due to higher spending habits and elevated interest rates on variable-rate loans. Demand for new credit also grew significantly, leading to a total Canadian household debt of $2.3 trillion.
Canada is facing a deep crisis due to a housing crisis, rising consumer debt, and high interest rates, which are causing unaffordability and financial vulnerability for working people, while the government's plan to address these challenges remains unclear.
Canada's economy unexpectedly contracted in the second quarter, raising concerns of a possible recession, as declines in housing investment and slower exports and household spending impacted growth. This is likely to lead the central bank to hold interest rates steady.
The Bank of Canada is set to issue an interest rate update, with experts predicting a potential rate hike that could impact mortgage payments and home values.
The U.S. is currently experiencing a prolonged high inflation cycle that is causing significant damage to the purchasing power of the currency, and the recent lower inflation rate is misleading as it ignores the accumulated harm; in order to combat this cycle, the Federal Reserve needs to raise interest rates higher than the inflation rate and reverse its bond purchases.
The profitability of energy and mining corporations in Canada has contributed to the inflation crisis by driving up prices, while other industries struggled to pass on increased costs to consumers, according to a report by Statistics Canada. The report highlights the concentrated nature of inflationary pressures and calls attention to the failure of policymakers to address the issue at its source, allowing energy corporations to profit while consumers bear the burden of rising costs.
The Bank of Canada is expected to maintain interest rates at a 22-year high of 5% despite a contraction in the economy, as inflation remains above the bank's target.
Canada added 40,000 jobs in August, surpassing economists' expectations, while the unemployment rate remained steady at 5.5%. This positive job growth suggests that the economy is not completely stalled, but the Bank of Canada is not expected to raise interest rates in the near future.
The Canadian dollar strengthened against the US dollar as stronger-than-expected jobs data raised the possibility of another interest rate hike by the Bank of Canada.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem suggests that interest rates may not be high enough to bring inflation back down to target, indicating a hawkish approach after keeping borrowing costs at a 22-year high; Macklem highlights the need for more restrictive monetary policy to restore price stability and reduce inflation.
The Canadian government is taking measures to address affordability challenges, including a cut in Goods and Services Tax, plans to boost the Competition Bureau's power, and an effort to lower food prices; however, economists believe these measures are unlikely to have an immediate impact on inflation or interest rates.
The US's $32 trillion debt may not be as dire as it seems, as experts point out misconceptions about the national deficit and its impact on the economy. However, future debt problems could arise due to current spending rates.
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