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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Hike Odds, Fixed Rates, Tariff Swap, $100 Oil & Budget Countdown (Oct. 25)

  Canadian Money Brief • Sunday, October 25, 2026 A big week for your wallet starts Wednesday. Here are the five things Canadians should know before it begins. 1 The Bank of Canada decides Wednesday, and markets lean toward a hike The Bank of Canada announces its rate decision at 9:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 28, alongside a new Monetary Policy Report. Prediction markets price roughly a 79% chance of a quarter-point hike to 2.50%, up sharply after Governor Tiff Macklem’s hawkish comments at the IMF meetings, though analysts remain split and some expect a “hawkish hold.” The U.S. Fed also decides that day. What it means for you: Variable-rate mortgage and HELOC holders feel it first. A 0.25-point hike works out to roughly $70 more per month on a $500,000 variable mortgage (25-year amortization), and prime would move from 4.45% to 4.70%. A hold means little change until the next decision on Dec. 9. 2 Fixed mortgage rates have already moved without the Bank Fixed rates follow bond ...

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U.S. Stock Market Rallies as Dow Streaks and S&P 500 Surges


The U.S. stock market experienced a significant upswing today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average extending its winning streak to seven consecutive trading sessions. The S&P 500 also made a notable climb, moving back above the 5,200 mark for the first time since early April. This positive momentum is largely attributed to signs of a cooling labor market, which has fueled investor optimism for a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve in the coming months.

  • Dow’s Winning Streak: The Dow rose by approximately 0.9%, marking its seventh day of gains.
  • S&P 500’s Climb: The S&P 500 gained 0.5%, breaching the 5,200 level once again.
  • Labor Market’s Influence: Initial weekly jobless claims increased, suggesting a slowing job market and raising hopes for a Fed rate cut.
  • Sector Performance: Real Estate and Utilities led the sectors, while Technology and Communications Services lagged behind.

Investors are closely monitoring the labor market and other economic indicators to gauge the Federal Reserve’s next moves, which could have significant implications for the stock market’s trajectory in the near future.

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