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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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GameStop Soars Amid Meme Frenzy, Dow Snaps Winning Streak

US stocks experienced a mixed session on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average snapping its impressive eight-day winning streak. Meanwhile, meme stocks made a comeback, led by GameStop (GME), which saw a significant surge. Here’s a summary of the key market movements:

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI)

  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) closed down 0.2%, ending its eight-day winning streak.
  • Investors largely adopted a wait-and-see approach, with attention focused on an upcoming inflation report that could signal potential interest rate cuts.

GameStop (GME) and the Meme Stock Rally

  • GameStop shares jumped a remarkable 74%, adding to the recent run-up for the video game retailer.
  • The resurgence in GameStop’s stock price was triggered by the return of “Roaring Kitty,” the retail trader who played a pivotal role in the 2021 meme stock craze. Keith Gill, known as “Roaring Kitty,” had been bullish on GameStop and contributed to the stock’s meteoric rise last year.
  • Other meme stocks also rallied, including AMC Entertainment (AMC), Tupperware Brands (TUP), and BlackBerry (BB).

Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) and S&P 500 (GSPC)

  • The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) moved up approximately 0.2%.
  • The S&P 500 (^GSPC) closed just below the flatline.

Market Sentiment and Economic Factors

  • Stocks have rebounded strongly in May, driven by better-than-expected earnings and renewed optimism regarding Federal Reserve monetary policy.
  • The Dow had notched eight consecutive daily wins before today, although the lack of significant economic releases likely played a part.
  • Recent inflation data has made investors more cautious, as they increasingly factor in the possibility of no interest rate hikes despite rising prices.

In summary, while the Dow’s winning streak came to an end, meme stocks stole the spotlight once again. Keep an eye on upcoming economic reports and central bank decisions as they continue to shape market sentiment.

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