From the Bank of Canada's steady hand to a surge in housing starts and Ottawa's new financial crime-fighting agency — here are the five money stories every Canadian should have on their radar this morning. 1 Bank of Canada Rate Holds at 2.25% — Next Decision June 10 The Bank of Canada kept its overnight rate at 2.25% on April 29 and has signalled it intends to stay put for now. Governing Council is keeping a close eye on Middle East conflict spillover into energy prices, ongoing U.S. tariff uncertainty, and whether inflation — currently hovering just above the 2% target — becomes entrenched. Bond markets are currently pricing in roughly an 18% chance of a 25-basis-point cut by the July 15 announcement, making a move at the June 10 meeting unlikely. 💡 What it means for you: Variable-rate mortgage and HELOC holders can exhale — no surprise hikes on the horizon. But don't expect big rate relief either; the "lower-for-longer" window appears to be closing. 2 Mortgage...
Retail Earnings: Several major retailers reported their latest quarterly earnings. Among them:
- Target: The retail giant exceeded expectations with a 58% increase in fourth-quarter profits. Cost-cutting measures and efficient inventory management contributed to this impressive performance. Target’s stock surged by 8.5% before the opening bell today.
- Costco Wholesale, Gap, and Nordstrom also disclosed their holiday numbers, providing further context on consumer spending trends.
Market Sentiment: Momentum in U.S. stocks has slowed after reaching record highs. Factors influencing market sentiment include:
- Inflation: Signs of cooling inflation have prompted speculation about potential interest rate cuts.
- Economic Resilience: Despite recession predictions, the U.S. economy remains resilient.
Upcoming Events: This week holds critical events that could sway the market:
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Testimony: On Wednesday, Powell will testify before a House committee on monetary policy. His remarks may shed light on the Fed’s next move.
- Jobs Report: Friday’s report will reveal the state of the U.S. job market.
Global Markets: European indices rebounded midday, with Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC 40, and Britain’s FTSE 100 recovering from earlier losses.
As investors await further developments, Wall Street remains cautiously optimistic. Keep an eye on earnings reports and central bank communications for clues about the market’s direction.

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