Canada Economy Contracts in Second Quarter as Tariffs Sink Exports
Canada's economy was hit hard by the ramp up in tariffs in the latest quarter, when a slump in exports and drop in business investment led to the sharpest contraction in activity since early in the pandemic.
Canada's manufacturers and wholesalers look to be steadying after taking a hit this year from trade uncertainty and higher tariffs, with early estimates of sales suggesting a tailwind for a sluggish economy entering the third quarter
An advance tally of manufacturing sales points to a solid 1.8% improvement in trade in July from a month prior.
Canada's decision to drop tariffs on most U.S. imports could give the country's central bank a freer hand in cutting interest rates because the threat of trade-related inflation has dissipated, economists say
The country's 25% tariff on roughly $21 billion of U.S. goods will no longer apply as of Sept. 1
EWC: Canada Jobs Market Turns Soft, Threatening The Equity Rally
EWC has strong YTD returns and trades at all-time highs, but valuation is stretched with a P/E near 17x and PEG around 1.8x. Canada's labor market is weakening, with falling full-time employment and rising unemployment, raising macroeconomic risks for EWC's cyclical portfolio. Technical analysis shows bullish long-term trends, but bearish momentum divergence and seasonally weak months suggest a possible correction ahead.
Trump is threatening to raise tariffs on Canadian imports to 35%
President Donald Trump said in a letter that he will raise taxes on many imported goods from Canada to 35%, deepening a rift between two North American countries that have suffered a debilitating blow to their decades-old alliance.The Thursday letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is an aggressive increase to the top 25% tariff rates that Trump first imposed in March after months of threats. Trump's tariffs were allegedly in an effort to get Canada to crack down on fentanyl smuggling despite the relatively modest trafficking in the drug from that country.
Tariff Impact: Placing Precise Bets on Single-Country ETFs
With trade wars wreaking havoc on the markets, investors and advisors are scrambling to pinpoint areas to place their geographic bets across the globe. Despite the temporary breather on “reciprocal” tariff policies, many expect more uncertainty ahead and are shying away from tariff-exposed regions.
iShares Soon to Be Deep in the Heart of Texas
Through ETFs, iShares has long offered exposure to equity markets like Canada and Italy. Soon, the firm will provide access to an even larger market.
'Fast Money' traders talk tariff whiplash out of Washington
The 'Fast Money' traders talk volatility in the market as tariff whiplash hits Washington.
EWC: Growth Outlook Not Strong Due To Low Exposure To Technology Sector
EWC's high exposure to financials and low exposure to technology dampens its growth outlook compared to the S&P 500. Canada's weak economy and high household debt limit growth prospects for EWC's financial sector-heavy portfolio. Despite a fair valuation, EWC's earnings growth forecast is inferior to the S&P 500 due to low tech sector exposure.
Bank Of Canada Balances Growth And Inflation Risks As It Eyes More Cuts
Has the Bank of Canada beaten inflation? Not completely.
EWC: I Don't See Canadian Stocks Outperforming Going Forward (Rating Downgrade)
Canadian equities have underperformed US stocks in 2024, and I expect that to continue. The theme for 2024 has been AI - and EWC is an ETF that is not well positioned to capitalize on that theme. The Bank of Canada has begun cutting interest rates. This is a significant headwind for the fund's largest sector, which is Financials.
EWC: Wait And See Approach For North American Value Play
The iShares MSCI Canada ETF EWC is a financials and energy heavy ETF, trading at attractive valuations compared to broader US markets. EWC has underperformed its peer group of Canada-focused ETFs and has experienced a recent period of outflows. Divergent monetary policy in Canada and the US could have mixed results for EWC's near-term performance.
