Canadian economy

Money

The Bank of Canada is now expected to hike rates on Oct. 28 — and hike again by spring

A Reuters poll of 34 economists finds 56% now expect a quarter-point hike to 2.50% next Wednesday, with another rise by end-March, after September's 3.1% inflation reading and sharply rising expectations.

Money

Canadians spent big in August. That just made the Bank of Canada's October call a coin flip.

Retail sales rose 1.2% to $74.57 billion in August, the last major data point before next week's rate decision — and economists are split on whether the Bank hikes or holds.