-- Despite marking up its inflation projections and keeping topline economic growth unchanged, UBS said it continues to expect the Bank of Canada to remain on hold this year.
The latest signaling from the BoC is consistent with a cautious approach to changes in the policy rate in either direction, wrote the bank in a note to clients.
The Summary of Deliberations from the March policy meeting was consistent with a cautious approach, pointed out UBS.
Softer growth and a starting point of uncertainty already weighing on business and consumer confidence leave a dilemma for the BoC, stated the bank. The signaling at the March meeting suggested that the BoC would look through the immediate impact of higher energy costs on inflation but would be watching for signs of price pressures broadening when considering the appropriate policy stance.
The Summary of Deliberations acknowledged the soft starting point for the economy: "The war in Iran had clearly added a new layer of uncertainty, but they agreed that they should not lose sight of the other risks already facing the economy: shifting US trade policy, the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, and ongoing structural changes."
The discussion at the March meeting also drew upon a recent speech by Deputy Governor Sharon Kozicki on how the BoC thinks about supply-side shocks: "Members considered the role of monetary policy when a supply shock hits the economy. They noted that inflationary pressures from higher energy prices were expected to push inflation above target with the economy in excess supply. This presents a difficult trade-off for monetary policy."