Desjardins’ chief economist on recession risks, rate cuts to come, and why five-year fixed mortgage rates are about as good as they’ll get

North American stock markets are pricing in a soft landing, with economic conditions anticipated to steadily recover in the years ahead.

However, there may soon be shifts to these forecasts of economic resiliency.

In an economic outlook published last month, Desjardins’ chief economist and strategist Jimmy Jean said the biggest risk to the outlook for the Canadian economy is the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Depending on the election results, economic uncertainty and volatility in equity markets may rise.