Firms still positive about future despite uncertainties: central bank
OTTAWA — Canadian firms remain upbeat about future sales, business investment and hiring even as the country faces stubborn economic uncertainties from outside its borders, a Bank of Canada poll suggested Monday.
The central bank’s latest business outlook survey — its quarterly poll of about 100 firms — found overall business sentiment has stayed positive and above historical averages, despite some signs the indicator crept down compared with January’s results.
But despite the still-optimistic expectations a number of respondents predicted some moderation ahead as the economy shifts to a more-sustainable pace following last year’s red-hot growth.
The results of the survey, conducted between Feb. 12 and March 9, will be carefully studied by the Bank of Canada ahead of its next decision on its trend-setting interest rate, which is scheduled for next week.