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5 Things to Know Today: Tariffs, a CPI Surprise, and the Mortgage Rate Gap

  July 21, 2026 A new round of US tariffs, a surprise inflation dip, and a widening gap between fixed and variable mortgage rates are all moving in different directions today. Here's what's happening and what it means for your money. 1. Washington hits Canada with new 50% tariffs on everyday goods The White House has announced fresh 50% tariffs on a wide list of Canadian exports, including wine, dairy, furniture, hockey equipment, cement, and clothing. The move is framed as retaliation over Canada's dairy quotas, car import rules, and provincial bans on US alcohol. The tariffs take effect August 19 and apply even to goods that would normally qualify duty-free under CUSMA, though energy, potash, fish, and critical minerals are exempt. What it means for you: This round targets export industries, not imports into Canada, so it won't directly raise shelf prices here the way a Canadian tariff on US goods would. The bigger risk is indirect — job pressure in affected sectors ...
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Wall Street Nervously Awaits Key Inflation Data

 

Wall Street is treading cautiously today as investors eagerly anticipate the latest inflation report. The Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance on monetary policy has kept the market on edge, and this data release could provide crucial insights.

What’s Happening?

  • Modest Losses: Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are down by 0.3% ahead of the opening bell. Despite this, Wall Street remains on track for a positive February, even after a somewhat challenging week.

  • Inflation Focus: The Commerce Department is set to release its report on consumer spending, which includes a closely watched measure of inflation. The Federal Reserve has recently paused its interest rate hikes after raising rates to a 22-year high. The central bank’s primary goal is to manage inflation, and any surprises in today’s data could impact their next moves.

  • Analyst Expectations: Economists predict that year-over-year inflation ticked down in January to 2.3%, compared to December’s 2.6%. The Fed’s target is 2%, so any deviation from this level will be closely scrutinized.

  • Corporate Highlights: Processed food maker Hormel surprised the market by beating profit targets, leading to a nearly 5% premarket jump. However, cloud-computing company Snowflake faced a different fate, plummeting over 22% after announcing the immediate retirement of CEO Frank Slootman. Sridhar Ramaswamy will take the reins.

  • Global Markets: In Europe, Germany’s DAX and Britain’s FTSE 100 are showing resilience, each adding 0.4%. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index closed 0.1% lower, with factory output declining at the fastest pace since May 2020.

Investors are keeping a close eye on inflation data, hoping for clarity on the Fed’s next steps. As the market navigates uncertainty, it remains to be seen how Wall Street will react to the numbers. Stay tuned for further updates!


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