Skip to main content

Featured

Gas Prices Are Spiking Again — Here's How to Protect Your Wallet as the Iran Conflict Escalates

  Published July 20, 2026 If it feels like you're filling up more often for the same money lately, you're not imagining it. Oil markets jolted higher to start the week, and Canadian drivers are almost certain to see it at the pump in the next few days. What just happened Brent crude — the global benchmark that drives Canadian gas pricing — jumped nearly 4% on Monday to trade above US$90 a barrel, its highest level since mid-June, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near US$84. The move came after the United States and Iran escalated hostilities over the weekend, including strikes on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil facility in Kuwait. That strait matters enormously to your gas bill: roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes through it. When shipping through it slows or stalls, traders price in a "risk premium" almost immediately — and that shows up at Canadian pumps within days, not weeks. What it mea...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Wall Street Rebounds Amid Earnings Anticipation and Geopolitical Tensions


Coming off their worst week since October, Wall Street is showing signs of recovery as investors brace for a busy week of earnings reports and geopolitical developments. Here’s a snapshot of today’s market activity:

  1. Earnings Optimism: Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.6% before the bell. Investors eagerly await data from the government’s latest retail sales figures and financial results from companies like Bank of America, United Airlines, and Netflix.

  2. Oil Prices Decline: Despite escalating tensions in the Middle East, oil prices fell. An attack late Saturday marked the first time Iran had ever launched a military assault on Israel. However, the precision and limited impact of Iran’s response suggest a strategic approach aimed at minimizing damage rather than escalating tensions. A barrel of benchmark U.S. oil declined to $84.96, while Brent crude, the international standard, lost ground at $89.77.

  3. Defense Contractors Surge: Nearly every sector showed gains early Monday, with defense contractors leading the way. Lockheed Martin rose by 1.8% before the bell.

  4. Apple’s iPhone Challenge: Apple shares ticked down slightly after a report revealed that the iPhone ranked second in phone deliveries during the first quarter, trailing behind Samsung. Concerns arise due to faltering iPhone sales in China and reports that the Chinese government may restrict its workers from buying iPhones.

  5. Global Markets: In Europe, Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 rose by 1%, while London’s FTSE 100 slipped marginally. In Asian trading, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dipped by 0.7%.

  6. Currency Trends: The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen, reaching another 34-year high as investors sought safety amid uncertainty.

As the week unfolds, investors will closely monitor earnings reports, geopolitical developments, and economic indicators. The delicate balance between global tensions and corporate performance remains at the forefront of market dynamics.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment