Skip to main content

Featured

Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Stock Market Update: Stocks Find Footing as Powell Chills Rate Cut Hopes



US stocks rose on Friday after a stellar month, as investors awaited Fed Chair Powell’s remarks on monetary policy. The S&P 500, the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq all gained around 0.5% or more.

Powell warned that it would be “premature” to conclude that the Fed was done with rate hikes or to speculate when rate cuts could begin. He said the Fed would be guided by data and not by market expectations. He also said inflation had cooled to its lowest levels since 2021.

Oil prices steadied after falling on Thursday, when OPEC+ agreed to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day. However, investors remained skeptical about the effectiveness of the deal to balance the oil market and support prices. WTI crude traded around $76 a barrel, while Brent was below $83.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment