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Gas Prices Are Spiking Again — Here's How to Protect Your Wallet as the Iran Conflict Escalates

  Published July 20, 2026 If it feels like you're filling up more often for the same money lately, you're not imagining it. Oil markets jolted higher to start the week, and Canadian drivers are almost certain to see it at the pump in the next few days. What just happened Brent crude — the global benchmark that drives Canadian gas pricing — jumped nearly 4% on Monday to trade above US$90 a barrel, its highest level since mid-June, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near US$84. The move came after the United States and Iran escalated hostilities over the weekend, including strikes on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil facility in Kuwait. That strait matters enormously to your gas bill: roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes through it. When shipping through it slows or stalls, traders price in a "risk premium" almost immediately — and that shows up at Canadian pumps within days, not weeks. What it mea...

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Wall Street Mixed as Red-Hot Chipmaker Nvidia Claws Back Losses

 

World stocks experienced mixed performance today, with Wall Street showing a quiet and varied session. The red-hot chipmaker Nvidia, which had seen a meteoric rise in recent weeks, contributed to the market’s mixed sentiment.

Nvidia’s Recovery

  • Nvidia’s stock rose 2.2% before the opening bell, signaling a partial recovery from its recent losses. The frenzy over artificial intelligence (AI) that had propelled Nvidia’s stock to new heights appeared to be cooling down.
  • Just last week, Nvidia briefly overtook Microsoft as Wall Street’s most valuable company. However, in the past three days, it had declined nearly 13%.

Other Market Highlights

  • Microsoft: Shares of Microsoft remained essentially flat after the European Union accused the software giant of violating antitrust rules related to its Teams messaging and videoconferencing app.
  • SolarEdge: Solar panel manufacturer SolarEdge faced challenges, with its stock tumbling more than 17% before the bell. Customer PM&M Electric, owing SolarEdge over $11 million, filed for bankruptcy. Additionally, SolarEdge announced plans to raise $300 million through the sale of convertible senior notes.
  • Epac: Toolmaker Epac slid more than 9% due to missed third-quarter sales targets and lower-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue guidance.
  • Consumer Confidence Report: Later today, the Conference Board will release the latest consumer confidence report. In May, U.S. consumers showed increased confidence despite elevated inflation and high interest rates.
  • Global Markets: In Europe, France’s CAC 40 lost 0.8%, Germany’s DAX sank 1%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 was 0.2% lower. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 1%, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong recovered most of its daytime losses to end 0.3% higher.

Conclusion

Today’s market reflects a mix of optimism and caution, with Nvidia’s performance closely watched. 

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