Underlying price pressures are still persistently high, the central bank said
Many forecasters anticipate the first rate cut to come midyear
Excluding volatile food and energy costs, prices in U.S. rose 0.4% from December to January
Statistics Canada reports increase in GDP by an annualized rate of 1%, beating expectations
Central bankers face additional source of price pressure
Fiscal, monetary policy tends to ease, uncertainty rises in election years
Growth forecast revised up, rate cuts still slated for second half
While Canada turned positive, fourth quarter GDP slowed in G7
Shelter costs skewing economic picture, impairing monetary policy
Lower food prices help offset higher energy costs