Canada enters the second quarter on firmer footing, shaking off a soft start to the year that stops short of a true recession. A sharp rebound in full-time employment and a surge in energy exports are setting the stage for stronger growth, even as the loonie weakens under shifting market forces. At the same time, renewed supply chain stress, driven by ongoing geopolitical disruptions, is keeping inflation risks alive and central banks on edge. Equity markets remain buoyant, but much of the good news is already priced in, raising questions about how much upside remains. Meanwhile, intensifying competition in AI, particularly from China, is challenging the sustainability of elevated expectations. Nancy Paquet and Stéfane Marion break down what it all means for investors and the road ahead.
Sincerely,
National Bank Financial
Rob Hunter Campbell Hunter
Senior Wealth Advisor Wealth Advisor CIM®
National Bank Financial – Wealth Management (NBFWM) is a division of National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF), as well as a trademark owned by National Bank of Canada (NBC) that is used under license by NBF. NBF is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC, a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).

