How insurers are shifting investment strategies amid the pandemic
September 30, 2020 by Greg MeckbachChanging the mix of real estate portfolios, selling international exposures and considering increasing insurance prices are among the measures Canadian insurers are taking to compensate for the impact of COVID-19 on investment results. Intact Financial Corp.’s investment portfolio turns over…
The underrated factor pushing down the industry’s profitability
January 22, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe impact of low interest rates on insurer profitability is something that warrants more discussion, suggests a senior executive with one of the world’s largest reinsurers. “This is something that significantly impacts the profitability of the insurance and reinsurance industry,…
How real are concerns about a recession?
August 23, 2019 by Adam MalikSo long as a trade war and tariffs being thrown around, recessionary fears will always linger over the head of the economy. But that doesn’t mean it’s all storm clouds. One economist believes Canada is in good shape. The latest…
What needs to happen before interest rates rise
January 9, 2019 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – The Bank of Canada left its trend-setting interest rate unchanged at 1.75 per cent Wednesday as the sharp decline in oil prices temporarily dims its economic outlook for the coming months. Before long, however, the central bank expects…
Interest rates might not rise next month: Analysts
December 19, 2018 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Cooling inflation has given the Bank of Canada another reason to keep interest rates on ice next month. The annual pace of inflation slowed in November to 1.7 per cent as upward pressure from higher gasoline prices eased…
Why interest rates might not rise further
December 4, 2018 Craig Wong - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – The pace of economic growth in Canada slowed in the third quarter as business investment spending fell and the growth in household spending slowed, raising questions about the future pace of interest rate hikes by the Bank of…
Bank of Canada raises interest rate, signals future hikes
October 24, 2018 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – The Bank of Canada raised its trend-setting interest rate Wednesday and sent signals that future hikes could be upon Canadians sooner than previously expected. With a big source of trade uncertainty finally out of the way, the central…
Will higher interest rates kick-start M&A?
September 26, 2018 by Jason ContantWhat impact do rising interest rates have on P&C companies conducting mergers and acquisitions? We’re about to find out, as the Bank of Canada is widely expected to raise the interest rate target at an Oct. 24 rate announcement. “The…
Bank of Canada keeps key interest rate target on hold at 1.25 per cent
May 30, 2018 Craig Wong - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate target on hold Wednesday, but noted the Canadian economy was a little stronger than expected in the first quarter, raising expectations that rate hikes are coming later this year…
What Fairfax’s CEO is saying about interest rates
May 19, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAs Canadian insurers struggle with auto claims and weather-related losses, relief may be in sight in the form of interest rate increases. “We think interest rates will go up over time because the economy of the U.S. is doing very…
Bank of Canada head explains why Canada’s interest rates are so low
December 14, 2017 THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says with the economy running at close to full tilt, a mechanical approach to setting interest rates would suggest higher borrowing rates should already be in place. But in a speech Thursday,…
Bank of Canada rate stays at 0.5%
May 24, 2017 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Uncertainties continue to obscure the economy’s stronger-than-expected start to the year, the Bank of Canada said Wednesday as it stuck with its trendsetting interest rate of 0.5 per cent. In explaining its decision to hold the rate, the…