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CURRENT MARKET ENVIRONMENT
The Committee discussed internal and external factors that could possibly impact the current market environment in order to identify risks, manage changes, and identify potential opportunities for the City.
The Committee identified the following factors of concern:
• Ongoing supply chains disruptions;
• Lingering of the pandemic and potential future outbreaks will likely have a negative impact on supply chains;
• Inflation causing some distortions in the market;
• Rising interest rates;
• Implications of the conflict in Ukraine;
• Negative environment for fixed income securities in light of higher rates and widening of credit spreads;
• Heightened volatility in the equity markets likely to be around for a while with higher levels of uncertainty;
• Canadian equity markets have better prospects and are relatively cheaper compared to other equity markets;
• Greater impacts to the consumers due to rising food and energy costs, increases in mortgage rates;
• Labour market is currently strong, resulting in demand for higher wages; and
• Changes in weather and seasons affecting agriculture.