US DATA: MNI Chicago Report™: Over Half Think A.I. Will Change Skill Importance

Following are the Instant Answers for the Bank of Canada interest-rate decision:

• Overnight Rate Target 2.25%
• Does the Bank signal it is prepared to lower rates in the future? Yes. "Uncertainty around this outlook is unusually high. Geopolitical risks are elevated and the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement is an important risk to the outlook."
• Does the Bank say the policy rate appears appropriate if its economic forecast is realized? Yes
• Does the Bank signal it intends to leave rates on hold? Yes
• Does the Bank mention added risk from recent global geopolitical changes? Yes

• "Governing Council discussed the future path of monetary policy. While Council judges the current policy rate is appropriate based on our outlook, the consensus was that elevated uncertainty makes it difficult to predict the timing or direction of the next change in the policy rate."
• Bank's base case for growth and inflation little changed but officials say uncertainty around outlook is "unusually high."
• Unpredictable U.S. policies, geopolitical turmoil and upcoming North American trade pact review are mentioned often in statement.
• "Geopolitical risks are elevated and the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement is an important risk to the outlook."
• Canada 2025 Q4 growth is likely zero and Q1 GDP +1.8% annualized.
• Labour market remains soft and firms intend to hire less, Bank says.
• CPI inflation seen near 2% target over next two years and Bank says core indexes have slowed to 2.5% from 3%. 
• Global growth seen 3.2% this year driven by U.S. on AI boost.                                                                                         

• BANK OF CANADA KEEPS 2.25% RATE, CAN HOLD IF FORECAST REALIZED
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• BANK OF CANADA SAYS GDP GROWTH LIKELY STALLED IN 4TH QUARTER
• BOC REITERATES PREPARED TO RESPOND IF OUTLOOK CHANGES