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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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S&P 500 and Nasdaq Set to Jump as Nvidia Surge Continues


US stock indexes are poised for gains early today as Nvidia’s record-breaking surge continues. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite futures lead the way, up about 0.7%, while S&P 500 futures point up around 0.4%. This follows the S&P 500’s 31st record close of the year on Tuesday.

Nvidia’s meteoric rise has captured investors’ attention, with its stock up more than 170% so far this year. Just two weeks after dethroning Apple as the No. 2 most valuable company, Nvidia now claims the title of the world’s most valuable public company, surpassing Microsoft.

Elsewhere, global central banks are in focus, with the Swiss National Bank cutting rates for the second time this year. The Bank of England maintains its benchmark rate at a 16-year high but signals a potential rate cut in the summer. In the US, traders continue to bet on a Fed rate cut by September.

Keep an eye on weekly jobless claims data today for further insights into the macroeconomic landscape.


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