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Gas Prices Are Spiking Again — Here's How to Protect Your Wallet as the Iran Conflict Escalates

  Published July 20, 2026 If it feels like you're filling up more often for the same money lately, you're not imagining it. Oil markets jolted higher to start the week, and Canadian drivers are almost certain to see it at the pump in the next few days. What just happened Brent crude — the global benchmark that drives Canadian gas pricing — jumped nearly 4% on Monday to trade above US$90 a barrel, its highest level since mid-June, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near US$84. The move came after the United States and Iran escalated hostilities over the weekend, including strikes on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil facility in Kuwait. That strait matters enormously to your gas bill: roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes through it. When shipping through it slows or stalls, traders price in a "risk premium" almost immediately — and that shows up at Canadian pumps within days, not weeks. What it mea...

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Anticipation Builds on Wall Street as Federal Reserve Meeting Nears

 


In a climate of cautious optimism, Wall Street experienced a modest rise in early trading on Monday. Investors are keenly awaiting the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting, which is expected to provide critical cues on the future of monetary policy and interest rates.

The S&P 500 futures saw a 0.7% increase, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures edged up slightly. This uptick comes amidst a broader context of fluctuating tech stocks and a recovering Nasdaq, spurred by Nvidia’s commencement of its AI conference.

The financial community is abuzz with speculation, as the Federal Reserve is anticipated to maintain borrowing costs steady. The central bank’s decision will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of the U.S. economy, which has been grappling with inflation rates that soared as high as 9.1% in 2022.

As the week progresses, all eyes will be on the Federal Reserve, with investors hoping for signals that could confirm a rate cut in June. The outcome of this meeting could either fuel the rally that began in October or further stall the market’s momentum.

In Europe, markets have shown a slight increase, with Germany’s DAX adding 0.3% and both the FTSE 100 in London and the CAC 40 in Paris edging 0.2% higher. Meanwhile, Asian markets have also advanced, with the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo making a significant leap.

The anticipation is palpable as the world waits to see how the Federal Reserve will steer the course of the U.S. economy amidst ongoing inflation concerns and a complex global financial landscape.

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