Investors, homebuyers and central bankers all have reason to be irritated by the latest data, and inflation isn’t licked just yet. But the numbers also show reason for optimism.
Next month’s budget is an opportunity for the government to move beyond its ‘I feel your pain’ rhetoric to a HomeKeeper-style policy for this particular group of temporarily squeezed Australians.
Despite different theories, there is no simple answer to whether prospective home buyers are better off buying before or after the expected interest rate drop in the next year.
The real question in the minds of many economists is what the trend in inflation will be going forward, and when interest rates will begin to fall and bring relief to Canadians.
The UK, eurozone and US inflation stories have diverged, which means each economy is now fighting a distinct battle with prices rises, which could require very different weapons.