Canadian Businesses Expect Cost Pressures, But Optimism Holds Steady -- Market Talk

0854 ET - Canadian businesses continue to anticipate a range of obstacles over the next three months, though the proportion with a positive outlook remains relatively steady. Statistics Canada's 3Q survey finds that 59.8% of businesses across the country expect cost-related obstacles ranging from inflation to input costs to interest rates over the coming three months, down from 64.3% the quarter before. Some 32% expect U.S. tariffs to have a negative impact over the coming year, while 46.9% say tariffs won't have an impact and almost 20% are unsure. Over one-quarter of businesses report passing cost increases from tariffs on to customers over the past 12 months. Nearly three quarters of business are either very or somewhat optimistic about their outlook for the next year. (robb.stewart@wsj.com; @RobbMStewart)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 31, 2026 08:54 ET (12:54 GMT)