Skip to main content

Featured

CMHC Just Cut Its Housing Forecast — What It Means If You're Buying, Selling, or Renewing

  Published July 28, 2026 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation quietly downgraded its outlook for the rest of 2026 last week, and the new numbers are worth a look no matter which side of the housing market you're standing on. The federal housing agency's Summer 2026 update now calls for slower growth, softer home prices, fewer new builds and continued easing in rental markets right through the end of the year — with a split that leaves Ontario and B.C. looking a lot different from the Prairies and Quebec. Here's what's actually in the update, and what it means for your specific situation. What CMHC changed The agency's baseline call for 2026 is a Canadian economy growing at just 0.7%, with high borrowing costs, weak population growth and cautious buyers keeping a lid on demand even as affordability has technically improved. The practical result, nationally: Housing starts are expected to fall to about 241,400 units this year, down from 259,028 in 2025 Resale acti...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Record-Breaking February: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Reach New Heights

 


Investors witnessed an impressive rally in the stock market during February, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite achieving remarkable milestones. Let’s delve into the details of this historic month.

S&P 500: A Stellar Performance

The S&P 500 soared to new heights, closing at 5,095.88, marking an all-time high. This gain of 0.5% on the day capped off the best February for the index since 2015. The positive momentum was fueled by several factors, including a crucial inflation reading and reassuring economic indicators.

Nasdaq Composite: Breaking Records

The Nasdaq Composite stole the spotlight, closing at 16,091.92, its highest close on record. This achievement was particularly significant as it marked the first record close for the Nasdaq since November 2021. The tech-heavy index surged 0.9% on Thursday, reflecting the robust performance of technology companies.

Inflation and Market Sentiment

The closely watched Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index grew 2.4% year-over-year in January, slightly lower than the previous month’s 2.6%. The “core” PCE, the measure often emphasized by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, came in at 2.8%, down from 2.9% in the prior month. Policymakers continue to monitor inflation closely, emphasizing the need for signs of easing price pressures before committing to rate cuts.

Bitcoin’s Resilience

Meanwhile, bitcoin (BTC-USD) maintained its position above $62,000, coming close to its all-time high of $64,000. The leading digital currency’s recent rally has been unprecedented, reminiscent of the pre-“crypto winter” surge in 2022.

Earnings Outlook

As we wrap up the fourth quarter, the S&P 500 is projected to achieve 4% earnings growth compared to the same period last year. Notably, the outlook for earnings growth in the current quarter remains positive, defying the usual downward revisions seen during this time.

In summary, February 2024 will be remembered as a month of remarkable achievements in the stock market. Investors remain cautiously optimistic, closely monitoring economic indicators and inflation trends. As we move forward, the resilience of both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite provides hope for continued growth.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment