The Loonie Hour

Currency Crisis in Japan?

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Japanese Yen has fallen almost 50% against the US dollar since 2020. Attempts to intervene are failing. The USD needs to go lower through Fed easi...

How China is Interfering in Canadian Elections, Exposing Corruption w/ guest Sam Cooper.

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How China is interfering in federal elections in Canada, spreading fentanyl, and exacerbating a housing crisis. Special interview with independent jou...

Federal Budget Predicts Falling Interest Rates, No Recession?

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The federal government dropped their latest budget which predicts no recession and falling interest rates. Will this make the Bank of Canada's job mor...

US Inflation Derails the Bond Market

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode we are joined by Chace Barber of Edison Motors to discuss the government grant scandal impacting their EV truck company. We then d...

Are financial markets getting complacent?

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Government spending pouring fuel on the fire at the Bank of Canada. Bond yields pushing higher as growing concerns over fewer rate cuts. Oil continues...

Immigration Cuts Could Push Canada into Hard Landing- w/ Ben Rabidoux

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Immigration Minister announces big cuts to population growth. How will this slow the economy and rents? Rabidoux thinks the Bank of Canada will have ...

Central Banks are Going to Cut Rates into Accelerating Inflation

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian house prices bounce higher. Inflation dips in Canada. Central banks around the world are preparing to cut rates as commodity prices jump and ...

Canadian Living Standards are Falling

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Premiers across the country are demanding Trudeau to pause the Carbon tax increase. US inflation jumps on higher producer prices. The crypto bull mark...

Canadian Businesses are Failing at the Highest Rate Since 2006

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Business insolvencies are surging. Mortgage arrears are climbing, albeit coming off record lows. The Bank of Canada holds rates. Federal Government at...

No Rate Cuts from The Bank of Canada this Year?

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tiff Macklem is on deck next week. Bitcoin hits record highs in Canadian dollars. Financial conditions are easing, pushing US equities and inflation ...

Canadian Farmers are Bracing for Tough Times Ahead- w/ guest Shaun Haney

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Commodity prices are falling, interest rates are up, and government policy is hurting Canadian farmer profits. Inflation in Canada plummets as retail ...

Higher for Longer? You can thank the US Economy

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CPI inflation came in hot once again in the US. Bond yield volatility surges. Markets removing rate cut expectations. Recessions in Japan and the UK....

Real Estate Crisis Brings Deflation to China

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

US jobs numbers come in hotter than expected, boosting bond yields higher. Jerome Powell speaks on 60 minutes interview. Canadians could be jailed for...

The Economic Shock Will Come from Outside the US

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Commercial Real Estate is dragging global banks lower. Powell pushes back rate cuts. The return of bidding wars in the housing market? Europe is drift...

Nobody is Positioned for a Second Wave of Inflation- w/ guest Tian Yang

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bank of Canada holds rates, but signals transition. Federal Government caps immigration of foreign students. Business bankruptcies in Canada are soar...

Hopes of Rate Cuts from the Bank of Canada are Starting to Fade

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Core inflation in Canada came in hotter than expected. Immigration continues to pressure shelter inflation, creating further challenges for the Bank ...

Inflation Jumps Higher than Forecasted- w/ guest Jared Dillian

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation remains sticky but the Fed will still cut. Could this spark a second wave of inflation? Guest Jared Dillian, author of The Daily Dirtnap sug...

The Perils of The Green Energy Transition- w/ guest Doomberg

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We interview energy expert, and popular newsletter writer Doomberg on the green energy transition. Net zero cars, nuclear energy, solar and wind, this...

Is Canada on the Verge of a Debt Crisis?

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Pierre Poilievres video that has gone viral regarding a potential debt crisis in Canada. Our total debt to GDP sits at 305% and is one of t...

Canada Mandates Zero-Emission Vehicles During Cost of Living Crisis

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All vehicles sold in Canada must be hybrid or electric by 2035. We interviewed transportation energy expert David Rapson to discuss the economic impac...

Did Central Banks Just Pivot?

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Fed shocks the market with a dovish outlook, forecasts 3 rate cuts next year. Bond yields tumble. Is a soft landing a fantasy or reality? Canadian...

Waiting on the Bank of Canada to Cut Rates

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada held rates again. Markets are expecting 100bps of rate cuts in 2024. Bond yields continue to tumble. Will housing perk up? Keep an...

Canadian Banks Bracing For a Weaker Economy

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian banks reported earnings this week. Nearly all of them significantly increased their provision for loan losses. The economy contracted in Q3. ...

Without Nuclear Canada's Energy Transition is Doomed, w/ guest Dr. Chris Keefer

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We interview the president of Canadians for Nuclear energy Dr. Chris Keefer to discuss nuclear energy and why the current government has suddenly tak...

How to Slow Canada's Food Inflation Problem - with guest The Food Professor

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois aka The Food Professor joins the podcast to discuss food inflation hitting Canadian wallets. His Battle with the Bank of Canada...

Canada's Biggest Retailers Warn Consumers are Tapped Out

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bank of Canada flags government spending in 2024. Canadian Tire and its chain of retailers warn about weak consumer demand, job cuts. BC Government un...

Consumer Confidence in Canada Plummets to Lowest Levels since 1982

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Confidence plunges as recession hits Canada. Bond yields retrace as Central Banks signal end of hiking cycle. Carbon tax divides Canadian provinces as...

Bank of Canada Says Inflation Will Return to Target in 2025

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bank of Canada holds rates, says global bond yields are doing the tightening. Inflation back to target in 2025. Canadian banks cutting jobs and sellin...

The Bond Bear Market Could Derail the Global Economy - w/ guest Mike Green

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Economic growth prospects continue to be revised higher, what are we all missing? Inflation slows in Canada. Business outlook sours. Canada's banking ...

Canada Will Have the Largest Economic Growth in the G7 Next Year?

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the implications of the turmoil in the middle east from a markets perspective. The IMF predicts Canada to have the largest economic growth ...

The Canadian Housing Slump is Back On

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recent data out of Vancouver & Toronto points to a marked slowdown in September that looks poised to continue into Q4. Bond yields accelerate high...

Canadian Economy Accelerating into Hard Landing

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Local governments raising taxes as interest payments rise and tax revenues fall. Bond market contagion deepens as yields surge higher. Canadian mortga...

Bond Market Crushing Soft Landing Hopes

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canada CPI comes in hot. Bond yields ripping higher over inflation concerns. Oil continues to push higher which will act as a hard brake on the econom...

Interest Rates at these Levels Will Break Things- w/ guest Ben Rabidoux

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined this week by Canadian credit and housing analyst Ben Rabidoux. Insolvencies are ratcheting higher, the pre-sale market remains the bigge...

Has the Recession Already Started in Canada?

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada holds interest rates. Q2 GDP unexpectedly contracts, defying Bank of Canada forecasts. Higher mortgage rates are starting to hit ho...

Provincial Governments Urge Bank of Canada to Stop Rate Hikes

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian banks report rising loan loss provisions. The Federal Government admits to undercounting non-permanent resident growth by a million people. T...

Are There Still Issues Brewing Inside the Banks?

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal government is back from their housing retreat with no real changes other than a further review into foreign student loopholes. Regional ba...

Inflation Bounces Higher as Global Bond Yields Hit 15 Year High

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation in Canada jumped well above expectations in July, hitting 3.3%. Markets are now expecting no landing, pushing global bond yields to a 15 yea...

Prices are Contracting in the World's Second Largest Economy

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer and producer prices in China are now outright contracting on an annual basis. US CPI inflation is nearly back on target, but how do you facto...

Are we in the Early Stages of a Sovereign Debt Crisis? - w/ guest Brent Johnson

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Markets are shorting the USD at a record pace and that could backfire very soon. Our special guest Brent Johnson, views the USD as the ultimate flight...

Surging Interest Rates Set to Squeeze Canadian Households Further

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Interest rates are rising once again as economic growth remains resilient for now. The Fed and the ECB raise rates once again. The federal government ...

Canadian Oil, Economic Prosperity, and Navigating the Energy Transition

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined this week by Professor David Rapson, an expert on energy markets and climate policy, with a recent focus on electric vehicles and tran...

The Hits Keep Coming, Bank of Canada Delivers Another Rate Hike

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada raised interest rates another 25bps, bringing the overnight rate to its highest point since 2001. US CPI tumbles below expectations...

Financial Watchdog Asks Canadian Banks to Ease Pain on Mortgage Holders

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The FCAC has asked Canadian banks to work with borrowers to extend amortizations and reduce prepayment penalties for over leveraged home owners. Real ...

Higher for Longer Interest Rates Will Create a lot of Winners and Losers

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fixed mortgage rates still moving higher. Population growth hits 1.2M in Canada. The Fed and ECB promise further rate hikes. The much talked about rec...

Bond Yields Surge Higher as Central Banks Coordinate More Rate Hikes

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Central Banks Coordinate higher Rates. Bond yields suddenly ripping higher once again. The Bank of Canada says house prices concern them. Housing set ...

The Great Canadian Credit Boom Comes to an End

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

National house prices ticker higher in May. Mortgage credit growth tumbles to a 20 year low, signalling a slowdown is ahead. Housing starts are plumme...

The Bank of Canada Shocks The Bond Market- w/ guest Robert Asselin

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by Robert Asselin, former advisor to Justin Trudeau, and budget director to Bill Morneau to discuss ballooning deficits and inflation....

Canada's Population Boom Puts Pressure on the Bank of Canada

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canada's GDP surprises to the upside, largely on the back of a massive population boom that is masking a lack of productivity growth. This is putting...

Rate Hikes Have Not Yet Hit Most Canadian Households

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rate hikes have only hit one third of all mortgages outstanding. Scotiabank says their customers are pulling back on discretionary spending. Is the Fe...

Pressure Mounting for Bank of Canada to Raise Interest Rates Again

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation surprised to the upside in April, forcing bond yields to surge higher and putting the Bank of Canada back in the hot seat. Meanwhile 75% of...

The Bank of Canada Moves Closer to a Central Bank Digital Currency

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The city of Toronto approves mass rezoning for residential development. There's an inventory shortage not just in Canadian housing markets but around ...

Fed Hikes Rates Despite Banking Crisis Spreading

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Home sales are bouncing back to life across Canada. Calgary Real Estate prices hit new record highs. The banking crisis is far from over as contagion...

Canadian Wages are Dropping at an Alarming Pace

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The housing market continues to turn higher, yet wages are actually rolling over. Latest data shows wage growth is now sharply negative in real terms....

A Nation Failing To Reach it’s Potential- with guest Erin O’Toole

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Headline inflation falls to 4.2% in March. National house prices are back on the rise with housing starts still falling. Government employees striking...

Bank of Canada Calls For Very Soft Landing

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada kept interest rates on hold while raising GDP growth forecasts. Meanwhile, land loans to developers have completely evaporated, sow...

TD Bank Becomes The Worlds Most Shorted Bank

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sweeping policy changes are coming on the housing supply front in Vancouver. Meanwhile, TD Bank has become the worlds most shorted bank stock, facing...

Big Deficit Spending Will Put Pressure on the Bank of Canada

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Government announced its budget and it was a doozy. More inflationary spending, including money for groceries. The Bank of Canada will hav...

Canada Has a Massive Opportunity in the Energy Sector

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canada's oil and gas sector could flourish, enriching the lives of all Canadians while lowering global emissions, the only thing stopping it is polit...

Banking Crisis Puts Pressure on Central Banks

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Banking crisis spreading across the US and more issues at Credit Suisse. Is this an isolated event or a potential contagion? What are the market impli...

A Weaker Canadian Dollar is on the Horizon

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada keeps rate hikes on pause, threatening a weaker currency as other central banks push forward with higher rates. What does this mea...

Stagflation Grips the Canadian Economy

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Canada's GDP was flat in Q4, falling well below the Bank of Canada's forecast. The housing market continues to be starved of inventory as sellers atte...

A Social Crisis is Brewing in this Country

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation in Canada surprised to the downside. However, shelter and food inflation, two things you can't live without- remain elevated. The public sec...

Central Banks Have Not Yet Won The Fight on Inflation

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

National home prices in Canada continue to slide, falling 12% on a yearly basis, the deepest slide on record. Signs of sticky inflation persist, sugg...

The Default Cycle Has Just Begun

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A big Vancouver Real Estate Developer goes belly up on over $700M in debt. Is this the canary in the coal mine? The Bank of Canada admits they had to ...

What's Lurking in the Canadian Mortgage Market? With Guest Ron Butler

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More rate hikes from the Fed, the ECB, and the Bank of England. Are markets overly optimistic about the future of interest rates? Is the Canadian hous...

The Bank of Canada Signals a Pause and Takes a Victory Lap

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada has raised interest rates another 25bps but has signalled they will pause and hold from here. What does this mean for housing and f...

Is this the Last Interest Rate Hike From The Bank of Canada?

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

National house prices continued their slide in December and are now down 17% since peaking. Inflation continues to fall but businesses don't believe w...

The Wealth Effect Created One Third Of Inflation

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CPI inflation in the US continues to decelerate, right in line with expectations. We discuss the market implications and guess where inflation could b...

More than Half of Borrowers Went With a Variable Mortgage at The Peak of The Market

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Toronto and Vancouver home sales fell nearly 50% in the month of December. The comps are going to look awful from now until March. Is the Fed looking ...

Forecasting Another Year of Volatility in 2023

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liquidity is scarce to end the year. Stocks are down, bond yields are rising once again. Delinquencies are set to rise. The boys discuss the outlook f...

Canada Population Growth Hits 50 Year High As Recession Looms

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canada added over 800,000 people to the population, the largest increase going back to the 1970s. The economic machine that is immigrating people and ...

A Decade of Zero Returns for Passive Investors?

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

National home prices continue to slide lower, now down 16% since peaking in March. US headline inflation continues to move lower but the Fed ain't piv...

Interest Rates Have Likely Peaked, What's Next For the Canadian Economy?

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada raised rates another 50bps, however they are now signaling a pause is in order. What are the implications for markets moving forwar...

Is The Bank of Canada Ready To Hit Pause?

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian GDP growth slows ahead of Bank of Canada rate hike next week. Is the Bank of Canada nearing the end of their rate hike cycle? Retail sales ar...

Nearly 13% of all Mortgages in Canada Have Become Interest Only Loans

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bank of Canada says half of fixed payment variable rate mortgages have reached their trigger rates and this means that about 13% of all outstanding mo...

Some of the Smartest Investors Get Duped By Massive FTX Crypto Fraud

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

National house prices slid lower in October, bringing the total price decline to 15% since peaking earlier this year. Some lenders are starting to lay...

One of Canada’s Largest private mortgage lenders Freezes Investor Redemptions

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Romspen, one of Canada’s prominent private mortgage lenders with $3.2-billion in assets under management, is freezing investor redemptions, citing s...

Interest Rates Need to Go Higher, Powell Crushes Stock Market

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Fed raised rates another 75bps and says there is still work to be done. Keith makes the case for a hard landing in the months ahead. Big tech stoc...

Did the Bank of Canada Just Wave the White Flag?

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada hiked a dovish 50bps this week, contrary to market expectations for a larger move. Is the Bank of Canada the first to throw in the ...

Inflation Coming Down Too Slowly For The Bank of Canada

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian inflation continues to decelerate on a rate of change basis but it's coming down too slowly for markets. This is setting the Bank of Canada u...

Canadian Government Faces Surging Interest Payments

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another hot inflation print out of the US will keep the Fed from pivoting. Rates are moving higher and we should see 6% mortgage rates in Canada come ...

Bank of Canada Says Another Jump Rate Hike Coming in October

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tiff Macklem says more rate hikes are coming and the job is not done yet. When was the last time a central bank engineered a soft landing? We are near...

Financial Markets Just Broke & The Economy Is Next

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Turmoil in the UK as surging interest rates nearly collapsed the entire pension system. The Bank of England is now doing QE with double digit inflatio...

The Fed Wants Stocks And House Prices To Keep Dropping

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

National house prices in Canada have now endured their largest correction dating back to 2005. Meanwhile, the Fed hiked rates another 75bps and has ma...

Canadian Households Lost Nearly $1T in Wealth Last Quarter

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian household wealth fell by nearly one trillion last quarter with house prices dropping. More cheques are coming in the mail to fight inflation,...

Bank of Canada Delivers Another Massive Rate Hike Into Debt Bubble

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada, Australia and the Euro zone all raised interest rates this week. The US dollar continues to strengthen, placing stress on some of ...

Bank of Canada To Deliver Another Jumbo Rate Hike Next Week

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Twinkies are on the line, as the gents place their wagers for the Bank of Canada next week. A surprise miss on Q2 GDP in Canada suggests further weakn...

Canadian Banks Positioning for Soft Landing?

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian banks announced earnings and are increasing their loan loss provisions, but likely not enough considering the outlook for the nations housing...

Canadian Housing Market Dropping at Quickest Pace since 1980's

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Seasonally adjusted average house prices have now dropped the most since the 1980's. Inflation is subsiding but central banks are determined to push a...

Bear Market Rally On Softer Inflation Data

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

US inflation has made the turn and is now trending lower, but will it fall enough to allow central banks to pivot? Markets are ripping on potentially ...

Bubbles Are Bursting in Two of the Largest Housing Markets

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Will the Central banks cave on their inflation mandate in the eyes of weakening economic data? The Bank of England just raised interest rates 50bps an...

The Recession is Here, When Will Central Banks Pivot?

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The US federal Reserve raised interest rates another 75bps. More interestingly is that Powell will be removing forward guidance, and all future rate h...

The End of Negative Rates In Europe & Bank Runs in China

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

CPI inflation in Canada came in at a 40 year high, but was below market expectations. Has inflation peaked from a rate of change perspective? Meanwhil...

Bank of Canada Shocks Markets With Largest Rate Hike in 24 Years

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada shocked markets with a 100bps rate hike, the largest rate hike since 1998. Variable rate mortgages are going up and we could soon s...

Food Inflation Leading To Social Unrest Across The World

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fixed Mortgage rates appear to have finally peaked and are now moving lower as markets price in an economic recession. The first major Canadian bank h...

Are We Already In A Recession?

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Latest data from the Atlanta Fed is suggesting we might already be in a recession. Meanwhile, home sales continue to slow in suburban housing markets,...

Are Markets Finally Pricing In An Economic Downturn?

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canada's inflation rate ripped higher once again, hitting 7.7% year-over-year and surpassing market expectations yet the 5 year bond yield fell on the...

Sovereign Debt Bubbles Ready To Pop

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Bank of Canada Threatens To Break The Housing MarketThe Federal Reserve raises rates by 75bps the largest rate hike since 1994. The Swiss National...

The Bank of Canada Threatens To Break The Housing Market

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

More hawkish rhetoric from the Bank of Canada as they prep for another rate hike. Mortgage rates in Canada are now at their hightest levels in 2008 an...