The Big Story cover image

The Big Story

Which economic predictions about 2024 actually came true?

Dec 24, 2024
Doug Porter, Chief Economist at the Bank of Montreal, shares his insights on the unpredictable Canadian economy of 2024. He discusses the unexpected strength of U.S. GDP growth and the complexities of inflation versus unemployment. Porter analyzes the effects of recent U.S. election results on trade and currency while addressing forecasts for oil prices and inflation risks in 2025. Listen in for a fascinating look at how economic predictions are evolving and what they mean for Canada and beyond.
21:56

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Bank of Canada's unexpected aggressive interest rate cuts demonstrated a crucial shift in monetary policy to address evolving economic challenges.
  • While the U.S. economy outperformed expectations, potential tariffs pose a significant risk to the Canadian economy's growth in 2025.

Deep dives

Economic Shifts and Central Bank Policies

The discussion highlights the significant shifts in monetary policy throughout 2024, particularly the Bank of Canada's aggressive approach to cutting interest rates. The Bank executed cuts totaling one and three-quarter percentage points, which was unexpected compared to earlier forecasts of approximately one percentage point. Analysis reveals that while Canada experienced a rise in unemployment, the economy performed better than many had anticipated, with inflation moderating to less than 2% by year's end. This sharp pivot in focus from inflation to concerns over unemployment illustrates the Bank's adaptation to evolving economic conditions.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode