BoC left overnight rate unchanged at 5.00% as widely expected. Bank Rate and deposit rate are held at 5.25% and 5.00% respectively. The Governing Council expressed concerns that “progress towards price stability is slow and inflationary risks have increased”. The central bank is “prepared to raise the policy rate further if needed”, maintaining hawkish bias.
Growth projections are revised notably lower for 2023 and 2024, but raised slightly for 2025. GDP growth is projected to be at 1.2% in 2023 (vs prior 1.8%), 0.9% in 2024 (vs prior 1.2%), and 2.5% in 2025 (vs prior 2.4%).
CPI inflation forecasts are revised higher through the projection horizon, at 3.9% in 2023 (vs prior 3.7%), 3.0% in 2024 (vs prior 2.5%), and 2.2% in 2025 (vs prior 2.1%).
Full BoC statement and Monetary Policy Report here.