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Canada’s Inflation Cools to 2.2% in October Amid Cheaper Gas and Groceries

  Motorists fuel up at an ONroute gas station near Maple, Ont., on April 1, 2025. Lower gas prices helped bring overall inflation down in October, Statistics Canada says. Canada’s annual inflation rate eased to 2.2% in October , down from 2.4% in September. The slowdown was largely driven by falling gasoline and grocery prices, offering some relief to consumers after months of persistent cost pressures. Key Drivers of the Decline Gasoline prices dropped 4.8% month-over-month , as retailers switched to cheaper winter fuel blends and global crude oil prices fell due to oversupply concerns. Grocery prices fell 0.6% in October , marking the largest monthly decline since September 2020. Annual grocery inflation cooled to 3.4% , down from 4% in September, with lower costs for processed foods and fresh vegetables offsetting higher prices for chicken. Excluding gasoline, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.6% year-over-year , showing that underlying inflationary pressures remain....
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Federal Reserve Signals Slower Rate Cuts Amid Economic Uncertainty

 

The Federal Reserve is poised to announce a quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday, reducing its benchmark rate from 4.6% to approximately 4.3%. This move follows a half-point cut in September and a quarter-point reduction in November. However, Fed officials are signaling a slower pace of rate cuts in 2025, with expectations of only two or three reductions compared to the four previously anticipated.

The central bank's policymakers are recalibrating their approach as inflation has significantly decreased from its peak of 7.2% in June 2022 to 2.3% in October. Despite this progress, inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, and the economy continues to grow robustly. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has emphasized the need for caution as the benchmark rate approaches a "neutral" level that neither stimulates nor hinders economic growth.

The upcoming presidential administration's proposed economic policies, including potential tariffs and tax cuts, add to the uncertainty surrounding future rate decisions. As a result, Americans may see only slight relief from high borrowing costs in the near future.




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