The Global Investment Outlook

Economic data has been resilient, recession risks have diminished, and inflation has cooled sufficiently for central banks to consider cutting policy rates at some point this year. In this environment, sovereign bonds are appealing, and while stocks have surged as investors embraced the improved odds of an economic soft landing, demanding valuations in U.S. large-cap stocks may limit upside potential.

This Global Investment Outlook includes:

  • The recommended mix of cash, fixed income instruments, and equities.
  • The recommended global exposure of fixed income and equity portfolios.
  • The optimal term structure for fixed income investments.
  • The suggested sector and geographic make-up within equity portfolios.
  • The preferred exposure to major currencies.

Read more

Fall Economic Statement 2024: Canada boosts investment appeal and the deficit deepens

Fall Economic Statement 2024: Canada boosts investment appeal and the deficit deepens

December 18, 2024 |Rachel Battaglia, Robert Hogue and Cynthia Leach
Given the political uncertainty facing Canada, the fate of many of the measures announced in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement is highly uncertain. However, the fiscal update still serves as a snapshot of where the economy is headed and how upcoming challenges...
Read more
Bank of Canada cuts by 50 bps, signals more gradual approach to follow

Bank of Canada cuts by 50 bps, signals more gradual approach to follow

December 11, 2024 |Claire Fan
The Bottom Line: As expected, the Bank of Canada (BoC) cut the overnight rate by another 50 bps to 3.25% on Wednesday, right to the top end of the BoC’s “neutral” range estimate (2.25% – 3.25%). Macklem’s opening statement made clear that with interest...
Read more

BoC accelerates pace of rate cuts

October 23, 2024 |Claire Fan

The level of the overnight rate is still restrictive at 3.75% and the BoC in the press release hinted at future rate cuts will follow to support a return to stronger GDP growth.

Read more
New listings shoot higher in most major markets

New listings shoot higher in most major markets

October 07, 2024 |Rachel Battaglia

The influx is continuing to build inventory—which is still hovering near the equivalent of four months of supply.

Read more

Three reasons why 2024’s 2% inflation isn’t 2019’s 2%

September 25, 2024 |Frances Donald, Nathan Janzen and Abbey Xu

Canada is back at 2% inflation, but it’s too soon to pop the champagne. What’s driving prices now looks very different from before the pandemic.

Read more
Bank of Canada follows up with a second rate cut of 2024

Bank of Canada follows up with a second rate cut of 2024

July 24, 2024 |Claire Fan

After a first interest rate cut in June, the Bank of Canada (BoC) again lowered its key overnight rate by 25 basis points at its meeting Wednesday, to 4.5%. The move was in line with market and our own expectations ahead of the announcement.

Read more
RBC Canadian Inflation Watch

Slowing inflation in June sets the table for a July rate cut from Bank of Canada

July 16, 2024 |Claire Fan and Abbey Xu

The latest Business Outlook Survey largely confirmed further normalizing in a few key areas that the central bank has deemed critical to future inflation trends.

Read more
Proof Point: A weaker Canadian dollar won’t necessarily derail BoC interest rate cuts

Proof Point: A weaker Canadian dollar won’t necessarily derail BoC interest rate cuts

May 01, 2024 |Nathan Janzen and Claire Fan
Proof point: The timing and magnitude of interest rate cuts from the Bank of Canada will be determined by domestic economic and inflation conditions and not the gap in monetary policy with the U.S. Federal Reserve or the value of the Canadian dollar....
Read more
Federal budget 2024: Key measures that may have a direct impact on you

Federal budget 2024: Key measures that may have a direct impact on you

April 17, 2024 |RBC Family Office Services

We analyze the proposed federal budget measures, and the effect they may have on Canadians and their families.

Read more
Black Friday spending surprised to the upside despite a softening macro backdrop

Black Friday spending surprised to the upside despite a softening macro backdrop

December 11, 2023 |Carrie Freestone
Retail sales ticked up in November in the midst of the holiday shopping period. Even after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales (excluding autos) were tracking an increase relative to October. Clothing stores and gasoline were responsible for the...
Read more