Business sentiment moderates from strong summer high: Bank of Canada poll
OTTAWA — Canadian companies remain positive about the future but there are signs business sentiment has begun to cool down from its mid-summer high, said new poll results released Monday by the Bank of Canada.
The central bank’s quarterly survey of companies suggested firms still have “healthy” outlooks, particularly when it comes to prospects for future sales, foreign demand and hiring intentions.
This optimism remains intact despite shifting conditions that include higher interest rates and predictions the economy’s powerful start to 2017 will slow in the second half of the year.
In its poll of about 100 Canadian companies, the bank found that a large majority of firms predicted a rise in sales volumes and on balance, firms expect faster sales growth, which suggests expansion has become more entrenched.