As analysts and investors worldwide focus on the likelihood of a US interest rate rise, a poll of economists has found little expectation of anything similar from the Bank of Canada until 2018.

The Reuters survey of 35 experts was certain that there would be no change from the 0.5 per cent rate this month and their longer-term outlook suggests that the bank will wait until the first quarter of 2018 before a hike.

Previous polls had suggested there would be a rise in the last quarter of 2017.