The Financial Post reports in its Saturday, Aug. 31, edition that Canada's second quarter gross domestic product exceeded expectations, but economists warned that the details and outlook suggested a stalling economy. The Post's Gigi Suhanic writes that Statistics Canada said Friday second quarter GDP expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1 per cent, beating analyst forecasts for growth of 1.8 per cent and the Bank of Canada's projection of 1.5 per cent.
While there were bright spots in the report including strong investment in machinery and equipment, for example, the data also showed that consumers are tired and government spending is playing an oversized role in growth.
Officials on Sept. 4 are expected to cut interest rates for the third consecutive time. CIBC economist Andrew Grantham says, "Growth in the Canadian economy was modestly better than expected in Q2, but weak momentum heading into the third quarter gives ample reason for the BOC to continue cutting interest rates." Capital Economics economist Stephen Brown says in a note, "The big disappointment was that monthly GDP in June was revised down to be unchanged from May, and the preliminary estimate for July points to another unchanged reading."
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