Updated
Updated · tmgm.com · Aug 4
Canada's June Trade Surplus Seen Narrowing to $2.5 Billion as Oil Prices Drop 15%
Updated
Updated · tmgm.com · Aug 4

Canada's June Trade Surplus Seen Narrowing to $2.5 Billion as Oil Prices Drop 15%

1 articles · Updated · tmgm.com · Aug 4

Summary

  • $2.5 billion is TD Securities' forecast for Canada's June merchandise trade surplus, down from $4.2 billion in May and below the $3.0 billion market view.
  • A roughly 15% drop in crude prices during June is expected to shrink energy export values, the main driver of the narrower surplus.
  • Non-energy exports should cushion the hit, with auto production staying firm and non-energy manufacturing sales estimated to rise another 2.2% in June.
  • Stronger imports are also expected to compress the surplus, though TD said the real trade balance may decline less sharply without the effect of lower commodity prices.

Insights

If June’s trade surplus shrinks to C$2.5 billion, is Canada facing real export weakness or just a commodity-price illusion?
Can non-energy exports and future pipeline expansion finally reduce Canada’s dependence on oil prices for its trade performance?