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The Rate Cuts Are Over — Is a Hike Coming?

  July 23, 2026 Oil shocks, sticky inflation and a technical recession are pulling the Bank of Canada in opposite directions at once. For most of the past two years, the only question about the Bank of Canada was how far and how fast it would cut. The overnight rate fell from 5.00% to 2.25% between June 2024 and October 2025, one of the sharpest easing cycles in the Bank's history, and it has held there through six consecutive decisions since. That story is now over. The question on the table for the rest of 2026 isn't whether the Bank cuts again — it's whether the next move is actually a hike. Two conflicting signals, one Bank The case for staying put — or even cutting — comes from the growth side of the ledger. Statistics Canada data showed the economy contracted in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meeting the informal definition of a technical recession. That was enough to have some economists warning the Bank had no room to raise rates at a...

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Stock Market Update: Mixed Close Amid Bitcoin Surge and Inflation Anticipation

                                 Stock market

The stock market exhibited a mixed performance today as investors recalibrated following last week’s tumultuous rally. Wall Street’s attention is now keenly focused on the health of the US economy and the impending inflation data. Here are the key highlights:

  • After a robust run-up last week, stocks have lost some of their momentum. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed just below 0.3%, while the S&P 500 picked up late trading momentum to finish around 0.2%. The Nasdaq Composite led the major indices, closing up roughly 0.4%.
  • Bitcoin (BTC-USD) stole the spotlight, surging past $57,000 for the first time in over two years. The recent rally was partly fueled by MicroStrategy’s massive $155 million Bitcoin purchase. The cryptocurrency market continues to attract institutional money, and financial advisors are diligently guiding investors into the crypto space. Expect further catalysts from strong demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs in the coming months.
  • This week, earnings reports from major retailers take center stage. Notable names include:
    • Domino’s: The pizza delivery giant beat Wall Street’s sales and profit targets, propelling its stock up by 6.5%.
    • Zoom: The video conferencing company is set to report after the bell.
    • Amazon.com: Officially joins the 30-company Dow Jones industrials, replacing Walgreens Boots Alliance.
    • Uber Technologies Inc.: Replaces JetBlue Airways Corp. on the Dow Jones Transportation Average, enhancing the index’s tracking of the ride-sharing sector.
    • Other retailers reporting include Lowe’s, Dollar Tree, Macy’s, and Best Buy.
  • Keep an eye out for economic data releases:
    • Consumer Confidence
    • Inflation Reports
    • US Economic Growth Update: The pace of growth in the United States during Q4 2023 will be revealed on Wednesday.
    • The Federal Reserve’s ongoing efforts to tame inflation remain a critical factor.

In summary, Wall Street’s cautious optimism persists, with Bitcoin’s meteoric rise adding intrigue to the market landscape. As we await further economic indicators, investors remain vigilant in navigating this dynamic environment.


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