CAD Endogenous Analysis – Summary
The Canadian endogenous factors recorded a score of -11.5, implying a deflationary effect in the CAD as well. This means that according to the Fundamental indicators, the CAD has also lost its value since the year began, but not as much as the USD.
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate measures the number of people who do not have jobs and are actively seeking gainful employment. The unemployment rate is used to show business cycles and economic growth because when businesses expand, the demand for labor is higher when the economy is undergoing a contraction, the demand for labor decreases, and the unemployment rate increases.
In October 2020, the Canadian unemployment rate was 8.9% down from the historic highs of 13.7% registered in May 2020. The rate is still higher than the 5.6% average before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Based on our correlation analyses, the Canadian unemployment rate gets a score of -6. It means that in 2020 the unemployment rate has a deflationary impact on the CAD.
Canadian Rate of Inflation
The Canadian CPI is a weighted average of the following categories: Shelter 27.5%, Transportation 9.3%, Food 16.1%, household operations 11.8%, education and recreation 11.8%, clothing 5.7%, health and personal care 5%, and alcohol and tobacco 3%.
The CPI target in Canada is 2%. The Bank of Canada uses monetary policy to maintain inflation within the target range of 2%. An increasing rate of inflation is positive for the CAD.
In October 2020, the annual inflation rate in Canada rose to 0.7 from lows of -0.4 in May 2020, but still below the 2.4 recorded in January.
We assign the Canadian rate of inflation a score of -7, meaning it had a negative impact on the CAD.
Canada Industrial production
Industrial production is used to measure the output from manufacturing, mining, and the utility sectors in Canada.
In August 2020, the industrial production in Canada declined by 9.04%. Based on our correlation analysis of the Canadian industrial production and GDP, we assign it a deflationary score of -5.
Manufacturing sales
The Canadian manufacturing sales measure the value changes in the output from the manufacturing goods in the economy. It can be used to measure the short-term health of the manufacturing sector and, by extension, the health of the overall economy.
In September 2020, the manufacturing sales were worth CAD 53.8 billion, representing a 1.4% increase from August. However, manufacturing sales are still 3.6% below the pre-coronavirus period.
Based on the correlation analysis with the Canadian GDP, we assign an inflationary score of 3 to the manufacturing sales.
Retail sales
The Canadian retail sales data measures the total value that households spend on purchasing goods and services for direct consumption. This value is adjusted for inflation.
Consumption by households accounts for up to 78% of the Canadian GDP. Changes in the retail sales data can be used as a leading indicator of the welfare of households. Higher retail sales imply increased demand in the economy hence higher manufacturing and lower unemployment rates.
The retail sales in September 2020 steadily increased by 1.1% from lows of -26.4% in April. Based on the correlation analysis with the GDP, we assign retail sales a score of 6.
Government debt to GDP ratio
In 2019, Canada’s public debt to GDP was 88.6, representing a 1.26% decline from 89.7 registered in 2018.
In 2020 the government debt to GDP in Canada is expected to rise due to the various stimulus packages necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic. However, based on the past correlation analysis with GDP, we assign a marginal deflationary score of -2 on Canada’s government debt to GDP ratio.
Canada housing starts
The housing starts indicators track the number of new residential buildings that begin construction. It is used as a leading indicator of the demand in the real estate market and demand in the housing market.
In October 2020, the housing starts in Canada were 214,875 units. Based on the correlation analysis with the GDP, we assign Canadian housing starts an inflationary score of 2.5.
Canada Government Budget Value
This indicator measures the value of the Canadian budget in terms of surplus or deficit. It takes into account the difference between revenues collected and the expenditures by the government. The government budget value doesn’t include public debt.
As of August 2020, the Canadian budget deficit was CAD 21.94 billion. Revenue collected by the government during the month dropped by CAD 1.3 billion, while expenditures increased by CAD 42.92 billion due to COVID-19 response measures.
Based on its high correlation with the GDP, we assign a deflationary score of -6.
Business confidence
In Canada, business confidence is measured by the Ivey Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). It measures the business expectations and operating environment from the perspective of an operating panel of purchasing managers from both private and public sectors across Canada.
The Ivey PMI focuses on supplier deliveries, purchases, employment, inventories, and prices. Values over 50 imply expansion while below 50 implies contraction.
The Ivey PMI reading for October 2020 was 54.5, indicating expansion. From our correlation analysis, we assign Canadian business confidence an inflationary score of 3.
In our next article, we will analyze the Exogenous factors of both USD and CAD to come to an appropriate conclusion.
