| Closing 31-07-23 |
Variation vs 30-06-23 |
Variation vs 31-12-22 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest rate in Canada (%) | |||
| Key rate | |||
| Key rate | 5.00 | 0.25 | 0.75 |
| Commodities ($ US) | |||
| Oil (WTI) | |||
| Oil (WTI) | $80.58 | 15.8% ▲ | 0.2% ▲ |
| Gold | |||
| Gold | $1,960.40 | 2.0% ▲ | 8.2% ▲ |
| Currencies | |||
| EUR/CAD | |||
| EUR/CAD | 1.45 | 0.5% ▲ | 0.4% ▲ |
| JPY/CAD | |||
| JPY/CAD | 0.01 | 1.1% ▲ | -10.2% ▼ |
| USD/CAD | |||
| USD/CAD | 1.32 | -0.5% ▼ | -2.7% ▼ |
Sources: Bank of Canada, Fundata
CANADIAN MARKET
2.6% (S&P/TSX Composite 31-07-2023)The BoC raised its key rate again by 25 basis points in mid-July, bringing it to 5.0%, its highest level in more than 20 years. The market was expecting this decision owing to the resilience of the Canadian economy and persistent inflationary pressures in some key sectors, including services. The S&P/TSX Composite Index ended the month with a return of 2.6%. Most sectors posted gains, with Financials, Materials and Energy contributing the most to the return. Conversely, Communication Services, Consumer Staples and Utilities ended the month lower.
On the bond market, the FTSE Canada Universal Bond Index ended the month with a return of -1.1% owing to rising yields for various maturities on the yield curve.
AMERICAN MARKET
2.7% (S&P 500 31-07-2023 in CAD)The U.S. market recorded another positive month in July, the fifth in a row for the S&P 500 Index, which returned 3.2% in U.S. dollars and 2.7% in Canadian dollars. As already noted, the return was due mainly to expectations that the Fed may have finished its battle against inflation and completed its rate hikes. All sectors, without exception, recorded gains for the period, led by Energy and Communication Services.
EUROPEAN MARKET
2.5% (MSCI Europe 31-07-2023 in CAD)Like the North American markets, the European market saw another month of gains despite a further rate hike from the European Central Bank. The MSCI Europe Index returned 1.5% in local currencies and 2.5% in Canadian dollars. Financials, Materials and Health Care were the main contributors, while Information Technology and Utilities reduced the gains.
ASIAN MARKET
4.3% (MSCI Asia-Pacific 31-07-2023 in CAD)The Asian market benefited from China’s strong rebound in July. Expectations that the government may announce measures to stimulate domestic consumption gave impetus to the market. The Bank of Japan’s announcement of greater flexibility in its monetary policy, especially its interest rates, was also supportive. As a result, the MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index returned 3.7% in local currencies and 4.3% in Canadian dollars. China, Japan and South Korea were the main contributors from the regional standpoint. From the sector standpoint, gains were recorded across all sectors, with Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Industrials contributing the most .
EMERGING MARKETS
5.7% (MSCI Emerging Markets 31-07-2023 in CAD)Emerging markets outperformed the major developed markets in July, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index returning 5.4% in local currencies and 5.7% in Canadian dollars. This result is due mainly to China’s solid performance, as noted above. South Korea and South Africa also contributed to the return. From the sector standpoint, the largest gains were recorded by Consumer Discretionary, Materials and Industrials.
