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Big Bank Earnings Wrap: What RBC and CIBC Reveal About Your Mortgage

  Royal Bank and CIBC reported record or near-record profits before the market opened Thursday, closing out a jam-packed bank earnings week that also included BMO, Scotiabank and National Bank. Beyond the headline numbers, though, the details tucked into these reports say a lot about where mortgage rates, lending standards and household credit stress are actually heading — and it's a more reassuring picture than a lot of the tariff-and-tension headlines this month might suggest. RBC: Record Profit, Credit Quality Barely Budged Royal Bank of Canada posted net income of $6.0 billion for the quarter ended July 31, up 11% from a year earlier and a record for the bank. Diluted earnings per share came in at $4.23, up 13% year-over-year, while return on equity climbed to 17.9%. The number worth watching for anyone with a mortgage isn't the profit line — it's the provision for credit losses (PCL), the money banks set aside for loans that might go bad. RBC's total PCL was $1.0 b...

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Global Markets Surge on Fed Rate Cut Signals


Markets around the world are experiencing a significant upswing as the Federal Reserve signals potential rate cuts in the coming year. This optimistic outlook has sparked a rally across both stock and bond markets, with Asia joining the upward trend.

Key Highlights:

  • Stock Market Rally: A global stock index has risen for six consecutive sessions, with notable gains in Australian and South Korean shares. The S&P 500 reached its highest point in nearly two years, and Apple Inc’s shares hit a new high.
  • Federal Reserve’s Dovish Stance: The Fed maintained current rates but hinted at a 75 basis point reduction in 2024 through its “dot plot,” a more aggressive cut than previously suggested.
  • Bond Market Gains: Following the Fed’s announcement, US Treasuries saw a rise, with 10-year yields dropping below 4% for the first time since August. Swap contracts indicate expectations of 140 basis points of easing within the next year.
  • Inflation Trends: Recent reports show a slowdown in producer-price increases and a decrease in the annual inflation rate, aligning with the Fed’s target.

This broad “risk-on” rally is anticipated to continue, with experts like Kellie Wood from Schroders Plc predicting robust market performance. The dovish signs from the Fed have indeed delivered an early Christmas gift to investors, setting a positive tone for market activities.

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