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BoC Holds at 2.25%: What the Rate Decision (and Rising Gas Prices) Mean for Your Wallet

  Thursday, July 16, 2026 Sixth consecutive hold. A weaker 2026 growth forecast. And inflation that's running hotter because of gas prices, not the usual suspects. Here's what actually changes for you. The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25% on Wednesday, exactly as markets expected. No surprise there. What's more interesting is why it held, and what it revealed about where the economy — and your bills — are headed next. This was the sixth straight hold since the Bank finished its easing cycle back in October. But buried in the accompanying Monetary Policy Report were a few numbers worth your attention. The Numbers That Matter Overnight Rate 2.25% (unchanged) Prime Rate (typical) 4.45% 2026 GDP Growth Forecast 0.7% (cut from 1.2%) 2027 / 2028 Growth Forecast 1.8% each year May CPI Inflation 3.2% Inflation Excluding Gasoline 2.2% Unemployment Rate (June) 6.5% Next Rate Decision September 2, 2026 Why Gas Prices Are Driving This Decision Here's the twist in th...

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Wall Street Wavers Amid Tech Sector Turmoil and China Trade Concerns

 

Wall Street experienced a mixed opening on Thursday, following a significant downturn in the technology sector due to escalating trade tensions with China. Premarket trading showed varied results, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dipping by 0.2%, while S&P 500 futures rose by 0.2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, which had its worst day since 2022, managed a slight rebound of 0.4%.

The market’s volatility was largely driven by concerns over potential new trade restrictions. Reports indicated that U.S. President Joe Biden is considering stringent measures against companies like ASML and Tokyo Electron if they continue to supply advanced semiconductor technology to China. This news sent shockwaves through the tech sector, with shares of Tokyo Electron plummeting 8.8% and other chip-related stocks also taking a hit.

In addition to the tech sector’s woes, Domino’s Pizza saw a significant drop of over 10% after announcing lowered expectations for store openings this year. Conversely, Chuy’s Holdings surged by 47% following the announcement of its acquisition by Darden Restaurants in a $605 million deal.

European markets showed modest gains, with France’s CAC 40 up 0.5%, Germany’s DAX inching up 0.2%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 adding 0.6%. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index closed down 2.4%, reflecting the broader concerns over trade and currency fluctuations.

As the day progresses, investors will be closely monitoring developments in trade policies and their potential impact on the global economy.


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