The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, July 10, edition that the Bank of Canada is expected to maintain interest rates at 2.25 per cent next week amid differing economic trends. The Globe's Salmaan Farooqui writes that NerWallet Canada's Clay Jarvis says the BOC faces a sluggish economy that would call for a rate cut, while continuing inflation risks may require an interest-rate hike. He says: "The opposing nature of Canada's current economic maladies explains why the bank's likely to continue holding the overnight rate on July 15. Treating one condition could exacerbate the other, so it looks like the bank will go the 'do no harm' route and maintain the overnight rate." The BOC interest rate has remained unchanged since October, when the bank delivered a quarter-point rate cut. Variable-rate mortgages, which are directly influenced by monetary policy, have remained stable during that period. Bond swaps markets have largely priced in expectations of a rate hold next week, according to Bloomberg data. However, investors are predicting that a rate hike could be in store before the end of the year. Meanwhile, long-term fixed mortgage rates have hovered around the 4-per-cent mark since the conflict in Iran began.