Skip to main content

Featured

Canadian Money Brief: 5 Things to Know Today — May 18, 2026

  A quick scan of the five stories shaping your wallet right now — from the Bank of Canada's next big decision to your mortgage renewal and a brand-new federal agency hunting financial criminals. 1 Bank of Canada Rate Holds at 2.25% — Next Decision Is June 10 The Bank of Canada kept its overnight policy rate steady at 2.25% at its April 29 meeting, citing a rise in energy-driven inflation and ongoing uncertainty from U.S. tariffs. Governing Council held firm while acknowledging a rate hike could become necessary if oil-linked price pressures prove persistent. The next announcement lands on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 — mark your calendar. Why it matters: Your variable-rate mortgage, HELOC, and lines of credit are directly tied to this rate. With bank prime rates sitting at 4.45%, every meeting counts. 2 Markets TSX Slips Below 34,000 as Bond Yields Spike The S&P/TSX Composite Index finished last week down close to 2%, sliding under the 34,000 mark. A global bond market selloff...

article

Powell’s Words Rattle Investors

 

US stock futures took a tumble today after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell poured cold water on hopes for an early interest rate cut. As we head into a busy week of corporate earnings, investors are closely watching the impact of Powell’s statements on the recent market rally. S&P 500 ( ^GSPC) futures slipped 0.2%, signaling a pullback from the benchmark’s record-setting run, Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) futures shed roughly 0.2%. and  Nasdaq 100 ( ^NDX) futures dropped 0.1%.

Powell, in a recent “60 Minutes” interview, reiterated the central bank’s cautious approach to rate cuts. He emphasized that the “danger of moving too soon is the job’s not quite done” in quelling inflation. Traders responded by scaling back their bets on rate cuts, not only for March but also for May, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

US bonds sank, with the 10-year Treasury yield ( ^TNX) rising about six basis points to 4.08%. This move reflects the market’s recalibration of expectations following Powell’s remarks.

Investors are now turning their attention to quarterly results. Last week’s triumphant reports from Meta (META) and Amazon (AMZN) fueled the recent rally. Today, McDonald’s (MCD) disappointed with sales falling short of Wall Street estimates. The coming days will be crucial as a wave of corporate earnings reports determines whether the rally can sustain its momentum.


Comments