Posts

• October 18, 2007

  Monetary Policy Report – October 2007

  

  There have been a number of significant economic and financial developments since the time of the July Monetary Policy Report Update.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Monetary Policy Report
• October 18, 2007

  Release of the Monetary Policy Report

  Opening statement David Dodge

  Since the July Monetary Policy Report Update, and against a backdrop of robust global economic expansion and strong commodity prices, the Canadian economy has been stronger than projected. It is now operating further above its production potential than had been previously expected.

  Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Opening statements
• October 18, 2007

  Bank of Canada releases Monetary Policy Report

  Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario

  The Bank of Canada today released its October Monetary Policy Report, which discusses current economic and financial trends in the context of Canada's inflation-control strategy.

  Content Type(s): Press, Press releases
• October 16, 2007

  Bank of Canada keeps target for the overnight rate at 4 1/2 per cent

  Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario

  The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 4 1/2 per cent.

  Content Type(s): Press, Press releases
• October 15, 2007

  The Global Foreign Exchange Market: Growth and Transformation

  Bank of Canada Review - Autumn 2007 William Barker

  Barker examines changes in the foreign exchange market, which is in a period of transition. Since the mid-1990s, three closely inter-related and mutually reinforcing factors–electronic trading platforms, a changing mix of market participants, and computer-driven algorithmic trading strategies–have been accelerating market growth and are creating a profound structural transformation. As the balance of market participation shifts between bank and non-bank accounts, large and small participants, and domestic and global players, the market is adopting some of the characteristics of an "exchange" model and is arguably becoming more liquid and operationally efficient.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles Topic(s): Exchange rates, Financial institutions, Financial markets
• October 15, 2007

  Bank of Canada Review - Autumn 2007

  

  Cover page

  Siamese Gaming Tokens

  The tokens pictured here are part of the National Currency Collection, Bank of Canada.
  Photography by Gord Carter, Ottawa.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review
• October 14, 2007

  The Effect of China on Global Prices

  Bank of Canada Review - Autumn 2007 Michael Francis

  The dramatic growth in China's exports of consumer goods such as clothing, toys, and electronics, and imports of primary commodities such as oil and metals is having major effects on global supply and demand. In examining China's role in global relative price changes, Francis finds that downward pressure on the relative prices of consumer goods is likely to persist as China's large labour supply continues its migration into manufacturing. Likewise, China's size and growth will also remain key drivers of global commodities demand for some time. Despite these forces, inflation-targeting central banks have the tools to keep inflation close to target, thus offsetting any persistent upward or downward inflationary pressure.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles Topic(s): Inflation and prices, International topics, Recent economic and financial developments
• October 13, 2007

  Estimating the Cost of Equity for Canadian and U.S. Firms

  Bank of Canada Review - Autumn 2007 Lorie Zorn

  Financing costs are important for both firms and the economy, affecting investment decisions and, ultimately, economic growth. Despite concern among policy-makers that the cost of equity financing may be higher in Canada than in the United States, empirical evidence supporting this view is mixed. Yet Canadian firms may not undertake as many projects that could potentially enhance growth if the cost of equity financing in Canada is relatively high. The article summarizes research by Jonathan Witmer and Lorie Zorn on the influences on the cost of equity in Canada and the United States, using an updated methodology that controls for firm characteristics and aggregate-level factors. In their sample, the cost of equity was 30–50 basis points higher in Canada over 1988 to 2006 but appears to have dropped in the post-1997 period. The results have policy implications related to such factors as firm size, disclosure, and securities regulation and enforcement.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles Topic(s): Financial markets, International topics
• October 12, 2007

  Bank of Canada Workshop on Derivatives Markets in Canada and Beyond

  Bank of Canada Review - Autumn 2007 Toni Gravelle

  At this 2006 workshop hosted by the Bank of Canada, an international group of market participants, regulators, and policy-makers gathered to assess recent developments in the derivatives market. Among the topics discussed were the recent prodigious growth in risk-transfer instruments, including credit derivatives and inflation-linked derivatives, as well as the accompanying challenges and benefits. Overall, the development of derivatives markets was seen as providing broad economic benefits, including more complete financial markets, improved market liquidity, and increased capacity of the financial system to effectively price and bear risk. Yet concern was also voiced that market participants do not fully understand the risks that arise in trading credit derivatives.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Bank of Canada Review articles Topic(s): Financial markets, Financial stability, Financial system regulation and policies
• October 11, 2007

  Deputy Governor Tiff Macklem appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Finance

  Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario

  The Prime Minister announced today that Tiff Macklem, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada, has been appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Finance, effective 1 November.

  Content Type(s): Press, Press releases