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5 Things to Know Today — Fed Hikes, BoE Warns, and the TSX Is Bouncing Back

  The Fed's first rate hike since 2023 rocked markets Wednesday. Here's what it means for your wallet on Friday, September 18. Friday, September 18, 2026  |  moneysavings.ca 1 The Fed Hiked — First Time Since 2023 The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a target range of 3.75%–4.00% on Wednesday — the first hike since June 2023. Chair Kevin Warsh cited persistent inflation tied to elevated oil prices and a still-resilient economy, saying recent inflation readings hadn't improved enough to justify holding. The decision was unanimous. The updated dot plot signals one more potential hike by year-end, then a pause through 2027. Markets initially sold off, but U.S. futures are rebounding this morning as investors reframe the move as a sign the Fed is serious about getting inflation under control. 💡 What It Means for You A higher U.S. federal funds rate puts upward pressure on Canadian bond yields and mortgage rates. The BoC is already...

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NATO head pushes Canada to meet 2% defence spending target

 

Speaking in Ottawa on Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged Canada to meet the target agreed upon by members of the military alliance: spending at least two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. 

While Canada has made commitments in this regard, Stoltenberg expects all allies to do more and follow through on their pledges. Notably, in 2023, there was an unprecedented 11% increase in defense spending across European Allies and Canada, with 18 Allies expected to meet the 2% GDP target in 2024—a significant rise since 2014 when only three Allies achieved it. 

Canada’s current forecasted defense spending is around 1.36% of GDP, projected to reach 1.43% by fiscal year 2024-25. 

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