Canada’s main stock index opened higher on Wednesday, helped by ⁠financial and ​real estate stocks, while the Bank of Canada left interest rates unchanged as widely expected.

At 11:28 a.m. ET, the Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 49.85 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 35,370.39.

The ​central bank also slashed its ‌growth forecast for 2026, partly reflecting weaker government spending, while forecasting slightly stronger economic growth in 2027 and 2028.

“As long as this war continues and oil prices continue to go higher and ‌above $80 a ​barrel, there will ‌be more pressure on the upside for inflation ... and ​that could probably keep the Bank of ⁠Canada from holding (rates) and then eventually next year they ⁠may have to start hiking,” said Michael Dehal, a senior portfolio ​manager at Dehal Investment Partners at Raymond James.