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Investing.com - Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 1.7% in July, down from 1.9% in June, primarily due to a 16.1% year-over-year decline in gasoline prices, according to data released Wednesday.
The inflation figure came in slightly below economists’ expectations of 1.8%, while core inflation measures ticked up marginally to 3.05% from 3.00% in June. On a seasonally adjusted basis, monthly inflation rose 0.1% in July, lower than June’s 0.2% increase.
Excluding gasoline, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained stable at 2.5% year-over-year for the third consecutive month, while grocery prices accelerated to 3.4% annual growth compared to 2.8% in June. Services inflation continued its downward trend, falling to 2.8% from 3.0% in the previous month.
Bank of America maintains its forecast that inflation will reach 2.0% by the end of 2025 and 2026, with potential downside risks due to slowing economic activity and low energy prices. The bank notes that core inflation’s three-month annualized rate has now dropped below 2.5%.
Bank of America expects the Bank of Canada to implement a 25-basis-point interest rate cut at its September 17 meeting, citing below-target headline inflation and weak core inflation momentum, though it acknowledges the central bank might delay action until core inflation falls below 3.0%.
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