
Banking sector worries ease ahead of Q1 results, but relief still a ways off
BNN Bloomberg
Stock markets may be hovering around record highs internationally, but Canadian bank shares haven't seen as much momentum as they head into first-quarter earnings results this week.
The sector has been lagging on concerns of sluggish loan growth, risks to existing loan portfolios and a range of other headwinds including changes to tax exemptions and capital requirements.
Some of the biggest fears are easing, but analysts say a turnaround isn’t expected any time soon.
“After many quarters of bearishness, we are getting much more constructive on the outlook for Canadian banks,” said Scotiabank analyst Meny Grauman in a client note.

Oil tankers are crossing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s actions to choke traffic through the shipping route have not hurt the U.S. economy, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Tuesday, reiterating the Trump administration’s position that the war should be over in weeks, not months.

Daily oil exports from the Middle Eastern Gulf, home to top exporter Saudi Arabia and other major producers, have dropped by at least 60 per cent in the week to March 15 compared to February due to disruptions and output cuts amid the U.S.-Iran war, according to shipping data and Reuters calculations.











