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BoC Set to Hike Into a Weak Economy: What It Means for You

  Canadian Money Brief • Feature Monday, October 26, 2026 • Written ahead of the 9:45 a.m. ET decision on Wednesday, Oct. 28 The Bank of Canada is about to do something that looks backwards. Jobs are disappearing, the housing market is sluggish, and yet money markets and most economists expect the central bank to raise its key rate on Wednesday. If it happens, your budget gets squeezed from two directions at once: higher borrowing costs and a shakier job market. The short version • Expected move: +0.25 point to 2.50% on Oct. 28, up from 2.25% • Reuters poll: 56% of economists (19 of 34) call for a hike, and a majority see one more by end of March • Why now: energy-driven inflation (3.1% in September) and a bank worried it spreads • The catch: 68,300 jobs lost in September , unemployment at 6.5% Why would the bank hike when the economy is wobbling? Reuters reports the Bank of Canada is expected to raise its rate as a pre-emptive strike: the goal is to stop an oil-driven jump in p...

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U.S. stocks open mixed and turn lower after inflation report as Fed decision looms


  • Inflation data: The U.S. cost of living increased 0.1% month over month and 3.1% year over year in November, slightly higher than expected. Core inflation was in line with estimates at 0.3% month over month and 2.3% year over year.
  • Market reaction: U.S. stocks opened mixed and turned lower after the inflation report, as investors weighed the implications for interest rates and the Fed’s policy outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.43%, the S&P 500 slid 0.39%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.2% on Tuesday.
  • Fed decision: The Federal Reserve is set to announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday, with no change expected in the current range of 5.25% to 5.50%. The Fed is also expected to provide an update on its balance sheet reduction plan and its economic projections for 2024 and beyond.
  • Market outlook: The S&P 500 index is near its record high, having gained 20.4% year to date, partly on hopes of slowing inflation and rate cuts in the future. However, some analysts warn that the inflation trend is still above the Fed’s 2% target and that the central bank may have to tighten monetary policy more than expected to keep inflation under control.

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