ATB's Alberta Economic Outlook: Economy gradually improving, new risks emerging
CALGARY, Nov. 23, 2018 /CNW/ - ATB Financial's newest Alberta Economic Outlook shows a stable provincial economy that is gradually making gains in the face of ongoing challenges including the uncertainty around oil transportation and a potential global slowdown. As a result, ATB is forecasting real GDP growth for Alberta of 2.1 per cent in 2019.
Released today, the Alberta Economic Outlook, provides an in-depth analysis of our economy to give helpful and timely insight to Albertans. The key findings are:
- Employment is expanding slowly but inconsistently across sectors
- The risk of a global economic downturn has increased slightly since August
- The surplus of western Canadian heavy oil—and the resulting low price—presents a challenge
- Pipeline transportation remains unresolved
- Interprovincial in-migration to Alberta has returned to modestly positive
- The new trade deal with the United States and Mexico (USCMA) is favourable
"Even though the deal still has to be ratified, the USMCA is an encouraging development that provides greater clarity and certainty on trade," said ATB's Chief Economist Todd Hirsch. "Retail activity, manufacturing, wholesale trade, interprovincial in-migration and other indicators also point toward gradual recovery. Rounding out the more positive economic news, agriculture and agri-food, tourism, transportation and logistics, and the tech sector are all experiencing growth."
Less positive is the continued unpredictability around pipeline construction, which has created a surplus of western Canadian heavy oil. This glut has caused a low price resulting in restrained investment throughout the energy industry. Consequently, even though Alberta's economy is improving, it's at a more gradual pace than the average of the last 20 years with some sectors still lagging behind.
What's more, though ATB is not forecasting one, a geopolitical financial event in 2019 is emerging as a growing risk.
"Globally, growth remains intact," said Hirsch. "However, Brexit and trade disputes between the US and China have spurred financial market volatility. While the global economy remains healthy, there are signs pointing toward a potential slowdown next year."
Read the complete ATB Financial Alberta Economic Outlook (November 2018)
Watch ATB Chief Economist Todd Hirsch provide a summary
For further information and interviews with ATB Chief Economist Todd Hirsch, please contact:
Karin Põldaas
Communications Director,
Economics and Research
ATB Financial
403-660-5296
[email protected]
About ATB Financial
With $54.3 billion in assets, ATB Financial is an Alberta-based financial institution. But don't let that fool you—we're so much more than a bank. We got started in 1938 to help Albertans through rough economic times, and today we have 175 branches, 144 agencies, a Client Care Centre, four entrepreneur centres, and mobile and online banking. And did you know we're fast becoming the digital bank and the bank for entrepreneurs? We're already the place to work for our more than 5,400 team members who love to serve our 760,000-plus customers in 247 Alberta communities. To find out more, visit us at atb.com.
SOURCE ATB Financial
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