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1 in 4 Canadians Can Only Afford the Minimum Payment on Their Credit Card

  Published August 24, 2026 · Canadian Money Brief A new survey from Equifax Canada puts a hard number on something a lot of us have felt creeping up all year: credit cards are doing more of the heavy lifting in Canadian budgets, and fewer people are paying them off. Of more than 1,500 Canadians surveyed, a quarter said they expect to make only the minimum monthly payment on their credit card, and another 7% think they'll fall behind entirely. That leaves just over half — 56% — who expect to pay their balance in full each month. The survey also found that 40% of respondents are spending more overall than they were a year ago, more than double the 18% who say they're spending less. Nearly 3 in 10 said they're leaning more heavily on credit cards to cover essentials like groceries and utilities, and close to a quarter are dipping into savings to keep up with everyday costs. More than a third have cut back on contributions to savings, investments, or education funds to make ro...

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Stocks Hit by Inflation Woes: ECB Meeting and Market Turbulence

 


Global markets are on edge as investors grapple with inflation concerns. Here’s a snapshot of recent events:

  1. ECB Meeting: Traders are closely monitoring the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting. Stubborn U.S. inflation numbers triggered a significant global market selloff, leaving Japan’s yen at a 34-year low. The ECB’s decision could set the tone for further market movements.

  2. U.S. Stocks: Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 slipped around 0.3%, following a recent rout. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 also dipped about 0.2%. Investors are recalibrating expectations for Federal Reserve policy, with the market now pricing in just two rate cuts in 2024. Some analysts even speculate that no cuts or a hike may be possible, depending on economic data.

  3. Bond Yields: The 10-year Treasury yield steadied after surging to its highest level since November. The focus now shifts to the Producer Price Index reading to gauge wholesale inflation’s impact on Fed decisions.

  4. Oil Prices: Rising oil prices remain a headwind. Crude futures, near six-month highs, hover around $86 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and above $90 for Brent. Geopolitical tensions, including concerns about a potential Iran-Israel conflict, contribute to the volatility.

  5. Corporate Earnings: As first-quarter corporate results trickle in, investors await updates from major banks like JPMorgan. High borrowing costs continue to be a concern, but positive earnings reports could provide momentum to stocks.

In this dynamic landscape, market participants keep a close eye on central bank actions, inflation data, and geopolitical developments. Buckle up for a roller-coaster ride as uncertainty prevails in the financial world.

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