Skip to main content

Featured

Black Friday Nov. 27: Wait for It or Skip It? Canadians Plan to Spend 6.5% Less

  CANADIAN MONEY BRIEF • NOVEMBER 14, 2026 Black Friday lands on Nov. 27, and nearly half of Canadians have been holding off purchases to wait for it. But with budgets shrinking and borrowing costs higher, waiting only pays if the deal is real and the bill gets paid. Quick take: Canadians plan to spend an average of $911 this holiday season, down 6.5% from last year. Black Friday is still the day most plan around. The smart move is not to skip it or blindly chase it, but to decide before the sales what you need, what it should cost, and how you'll pay. Budgets are shrinking, but Black Friday isn't The Retail Council of Canada and Leger surveyed 2,500 Canadians between Aug. 21 and Sept. 4. The average planned holiday budget came in at $911 , down $64 from $975 a year ago. More than half of respondents (56%) said inflation or economic instability is weighing on their outlook. Yet the big sale days are doing the opposite of shrinking. 88% rank Black Friday among their top three...

article

Stock Market Update: Mixed Finish as Yields Rise in Q2 2024


The stock market kicked off the second quarter of 2024 with a mixed performance, as US treasury yields climbed. Here are the key highlights:

  1. S&P 500 ( ^GSPC): The S&P 500 index closed down 0.2%, reflecting the cautious sentiment among investors.

  2. Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI): The Dow Jones fell 0.6%, adding to the uncertainty in the market.

  3. Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC): The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite managed to close slightly higher, although it retreated from its earlier session highs.

  4. Bond Yields: The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield (^TNX) rose by 12 basis points to 4.32%, approaching its highest level of the year. This surge in yields raised questions about the economy’s acceleration and its potential impact on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions.

  5. Manufacturing Sector Expansion: Data released on Monday revealed that the US manufacturing sector is in its strongest position since 2022. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing PMI indicated expansion for the first time since September 2022. Additionally, S&P Global reported that production hit a 22-month high last month, signaling continued economic strength.

  6. First Quarter Performance: Equities have started 2024 on a positive note. The S&P 500 has set 22 fresh closing records so far this year, marking its best first quarter since 2019. All three major averages have risen for five consecutive months.

  7. Upcoming Jobs Report: The highlight of the first week of Q2 is Friday’s jobs report, which will provide further insights into the economy’s health and serve as a crucial signal for the Federal Reserve.

In summary, while mixed market performance persists, investors remain watchful of economic indicators and central bank actions. Stay tuned for further updates as the quarter unfolds.


Comments