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Oil Prices Are Spiking — Here's What It Means for Your Gas Tank and Grocery Bill

  Published July 17, 2026 Crude oil is trading near one-month highs this week, and if you've filled up your tank recently, you've probably already felt it. The culprit: an escalating conflict in the Middle East that's disrupting one of the world's most important oil shipping routes — and it's starting to show up at Canadian pumps and, eventually, on grocery store shelves. What's happening with oil prices West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the North American benchmark, has been trading around the $79–$80 per barrel range this week — up roughly 5% over the past month. Brent crude, the global benchmark that matters more for what Canadians pay at the pump, has been hovering near $85 per barrel, also near a one-month high. The spike traces back to renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and has intensified strikes, while Iran has responded with attacks on U.S. bases and threats to disrupt regional energy shipments further. ...

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US Stocks Waver Amid Rate Cut Speculation



As the financial world turns its gaze towards the Federal Reserve, US stocks have shown a slight decline. Investors are eagerly anticipating a speech from Jerome Powell, the Fed Chair, which could provide hints on the future of interest rates. The S&P 500 has seen a minor dip, while the Dow Jones remains unsteady. The Nasdaq, largely influenced by tech, has taken a more significant hit after a collective downturn.

The market’s early-year rally has been dampened by strong economic indicators, which have lessened the likelihood of the anticipated three Fed rate cuts. The Atlanta Fed’s Raphael Bostic predicts the first rate reduction might not occur until the year’s final quarter.

Amidst these developments, all eyes are on the outcome of Disney’s proxy fight with Nelson Peltz, as well as the impact of a major earthquake on TSMC’s operations, a key supplier to tech giants like Apple and Nvidia. Intel’s shares have also dropped following a report of increased operating losses. The financial community is on alert, waiting for signals that could steer the economic course.

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