Thursday, July 9, 2026 Every July, a wave of federal benefit payments resets for the new benefit year — and 2026 brings one of the biggest shifts in years. Between a permanent 25% boost to the old GST/HST credit, a fresh Canada Child Benefit increase, and the largest quarterly OAS bump of the year, millions of Canadian households will see different numbers land in their accounts this month. Here's what actually changed, and what to check in your own CRA account. The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) . It's not a new program from scratch — it runs on the same CRA infrastructure and eligibility rules — but the payment amounts are 25% higher, and that increase is locked in for five years. The first CGEB payment went out on July 3, 2026. Under the new structure: A single individual with no children can receive up to roughly $679 per year (about $170 per quart...
Market Retreat:
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) declined by almost 1.4%, shedding 550 points.
- The S&P 500 (GSPC) dropped 1.2%, marking its worst single-day decline since February 13.
- The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) slipped 1.4%.
Fed’s Caution:
- Minnesota Fed President Neel Kashkari suggested that the Fed may not cut interest rates in 2024 if inflation progress stalls.
- Investors reacted to this cautious stance, reversing strong midday gains.
Oil Price Surge:
- Escalating tensions in the Middle East drove oil futures up by more than 1%.
- West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) settled at $86.59 per barrel, and Brent (BZ=F) closed at $90.65 per barrel, reaching their highest levels since October.
March Jobs Report Anticipation:
- All eyes are now on the upcoming March jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday morning.
- Experts expect it to provide insights into the robustness of the US labor market.
- Initial jobless claims data released today showed a rise to 221,000, the highest level since January.
In summary, the stock market remains sensitive to oil price fluctuations and Fed communications. Investors eagerly await the jobs report, which will influence the Fed’s policy decisions. Stay tuned for further updates!

Comments
Post a Comment