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5 Things to Know Today: July 29, 2026

  Wednesday, July 29, 2026 A fresh Iran missile attack has oil swinging again, the TSX just set another record, the Fed decides this afternoon, Microsoft and Meta report tonight, and your CPP deposit lands today. Here's what it means for your wallet. 1. Your CPP payment lands today Wednesday, July 29 is a Canada Pension Plan deposit day — the seventh of twelve scheduled payments this year and the last one before the August cycle. If you're collecting the maximum retirement pension starting at 65, you'll see $1,507.65 land in your account. The average new beneficiary starting at 65 receives $877.01 . Your amount will match what you received in June: CPP is indexed only once a year, in January (this year's bump was 2.0%), so there's no mid-year change. The next adjustment arrives with the January 2027 deposit. What it means for you: If your deposit is smaller than expected, it's almost always something individual — an early-start reduction, tax withholding, or a...
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Japan Sinks into Recession and Loses Its Position in the Global Economy

 

In a significant economic shift, Japan has slipped from its position as the world’s third-largest economy, falling behind Germany. The latest government data reveals that Japan’s economy contracted in the last quarter of 2023, leading to this change in ranking.

For over a decade, Japan held the second spot, but it ceded that position to China. Now, it faces another setback as Germany surpasses it. Here are the key points:

  1. Economic Contraction: Japan’s real GDP shrank by 0.1% in the final quarter of 2023, primarily due to weak spending by households and businesses. Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of economic activity, fell by 0.2% as households grappled with rising living costs and stagnant wages.

  2. Yen’s Impact: The sharp decline of the Japanese yen against the US dollar over the past two years played a crucial role. A weaker yen affects export profits when earnings are repatriated. Germany, too, faces similar challenges, despite being Europe’s largest economy.

  3. Structural Reforms Needed: Japan’s labor crunch is worse than Germany’s, and addressing the low birthrate remains a challenge. The government emphasizes structural reforms, including promoting full-time work for women and easing barriers to foreign investment.

  4. Technical Recession: With two consecutive quarters of contraction, Japan officially enters a technical recession. The country must navigate economic headwinds while welcoming a record number of foreign workers.

While the loss of its global ranking is a blow, Japan remains resilient. As it grapples with demographic shifts and economic complexities, policymakers strive to steer the nation toward sustainable growth.


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