The Canadian economy expanded by a greater-than-expected 5 per cent in the fourth quarter, raising the likelihood of interest rate hikes later this year.
The country's gross domestic product grew at the fastest annualized pace since the third quarter of 2000, Statistics Canada said Monday.
The economy's burst boosts the odds of a string of rate hikes in the second half of the year. The Bank of Canada
announces its interest-rate decision tomorrow, and while rates are on hold for now, the tone of the announcement could well acknowledge that growth is picking up speed at a faster pace than anticipated.
“This report shouts strength, and increases the odds the Bank of Canada will begin to hike interest rates in July and stay on that path in the following decisions,” said Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist at Bank of Montreal.
The Canadian dollar climbed after the report, to 95.51 cents (U.S.) from Friday's close of 95.08 cents.
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