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The Loonie Just Hit an 8-Week High — Here's What a Stronger Dollar Means for You

  August 11, 2026 Three weeks ago, we told you the Canadian dollar had crashed to a 14-month low . This week, it's doing the opposite: the loonie just touched its strongest level since June, and it's not a small bounce. If you shop online, travel south, or hold US stocks in your RRSP or TFSA, this move actually moves your numbers. What actually happened The Canadian dollar strengthened to about 1.393–1.394 per US dollar — roughly 71.7 to 71.8 US cents — its best level in eight weeks, according to Reuters and TradingEconomics data. That's a meaningful move: the loonie has gained close to 2% against the greenback since hitting 1.4248 on July 25, and it's up about 1.6% over the past month alone. THE TURNAROUND, IN THREE NUMBERS July 25 (14-month low) 1.4248 USD/CAD Today (8-week high) ~1.394 USD/CAD Move since July 25 Loonie up ~2.2% Two things are driving it. First, Friday's July jobs report blew past every forecast — the Canadian economy added 75,100 jobs against ...

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Stock Markets Today: How the Middle East Crisis Boosts the Stock Market

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring, which in turn has boosted the stock market. Investors are betting on higher demand for energy and commodities, as well as increased spending on defense and security. Here are some of the key factors that are driving the market rally:


- Oil prices have surged to their highest level since 2014, as the threat of supply disruptions looms over the region. The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, rose above $90 a barrel on Monday, while the global benchmark, Brent crude, topped $100 a barrel.

- Energy stocks have been among the biggest winners, as higher oil prices translate into higher profits for oil producers and refiners. The S&P 500 energy sector gained 3.2% on Monday, outperforming the broader index, which rose 1.3%.

- Other commodity-related stocks have also benefited from the rising tensions, as investors expect higher demand for metals, minerals and agricultural products. The S&P 500 materials sector rose 2.4% on Monday, while the industrials sector added 1.9%.

- Defense and security stocks have also seen a boost, as the conflict increases the need for military equipment and services. The S&P 500 aerospace and defense industry group climbed 2.1% on Monday, while the information technology sector, which includes cybersecurity firms, advanced 1.6%.


The market rally may continue as long as the conflict does not escalate into a full-blown war that disrupts global trade and growth. However, investors should also be aware of the risks and uncertainties that could derail the bullish momentum, such as inflationary pressures, geopolitical shocks and policy changes.

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