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5 Things to Know Today: US Inflation Day, Canada’s Job Losses and Oil Near $106 | Oct. 14, 2026

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Good morning. The biggest number of the day lands at 8:30 a.m. ET, and it could shape where mortgage rates and the loonie go next. Here are the five things worth knowing before you start your day. 1 US inflation report lands at 8:30 a.m. ET September U.S. CPI is the last major inflation reading before the Fed meets Oct. 27–28. Economists expect headline inflation to climb to roughly 3.6%–3.7% from 3.4% in August, a gasoline-driven jump of about 0.6% on the month, while core inflation is seen cooling to around 0.2% month over month. The Fed raised its target range to 3.75%–4.00% on Sept. 16, but September payrolls added just 29,000 jobs, and markets now see roughly a one-in-four chance of another hike in October, with December still largely priced in. What it means for you: A hotter-than-expected print can push bond yields higher, and Canadian fixed mortgage rates follow the 5-year bond. A cooler one eases the pressu...

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Retail Sales Flat in April, Missing Expectations

American shoppers are showing signs of spending fatigue, with retail sales data for April coming in sharply below expectations. According to the Commerce Department, U.S. retail sales were unchanged from March, missing the anticipated 0.4% increase that economists surveyed by the Journal had expected. This slowdown follows a 0.6% month-over-month increase seen in March, highlighting concerns about the state of the consumer amid sticky inflation and higher interest rates.

Key Points:

  • Flat Retail Sales: In April, retail sales remained stagnant, failing to meet the projected growth.
  • Excluding Auto and Gas: Sales declined by 0.1%, falling short of the expected 0.1% increase.
  • Sector Performance:
    • Nonstore retailers led the declines, dropping 1.2% from the previous month.
    • Sporting goods and hobby stores also declined by 0.9%.
    • Clothing and accessories stores saw a 1.6% rise in sales.
    • Gasoline sales picked up by 3.1%.
  • Economic Context: Economists are closely monitoring consumer spending amid the Federal Reserve’s pivot to keep interest rates high for longer than expected.

This situation underscores the delicate balance between consumer demand, inflation, and monetary policy. As we await further context, it’s clear that retail sales are a critical indicator to watch in the current economic landscape.


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