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5 Things to Know Today: Inflation Data, a Tariff Countdown, and a Big Energy Deal

  August 17, 2026 Inflation data lands this morning, the clock on the U.S. tariff deadline is down to two days, and a long-running provincial energy dispute is about to be settled. Here's what's moving your money today. 1. Today's Inflation Report Could Set the Tone for September Statistics Canada releases July's Consumer Price Index this morning. Economists are expecting the annual rate to tick up to roughly 2.9%, from 2.8% in June, mainly because gasoline prices swung higher again in July after the Middle East conflict pushed oil prices back up. Core inflation measures, which the Bank of Canada watches most closely, aren't expected to move much. What it means for you: A hotter-than-expected print would make it less likely the Bank of Canada cuts rates at its September 2 meeting, which matters if you're renewing a variable-rate mortgage or carrying a line of credit. A softer number keeps a cut on the table. 2. The Tariff Deadline Is Two Days Away, and Talks Are...

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US stocks hope for economic stability after record highs

 


The US stock market has been on a roll this year, with the S&P 500 index up by 17% and hovering around 6% below its record high from January 2022. The market’s performance in the coming weeks will depend on how confident investors are that the US economy will experience a soft landing..

A soft landing is a scenario where the economy slows down moderately without going into a recession . Morgan Stanley Research believes that the US economy can achieve a soft landing, given the current housing cycle, income and spending trends, a stable labor market, and receding inflation. However, banking-sector turmoil and a resulting credit squeeze still pose some recession risk.

The recent stock market rally has Wall Street re-examining the potential for the US economy to pull off a soft landing scenario. Goldman Sachs expects the economy to react positively to the Fed’s monetary policy in 2024.

It’s worth noting that the stock market is not always a reliable indicator of the economy’s health. Therefore, investors should be cautious and not celebrate too soon.



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