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Weekly Market Snapshot: Mideast Tensions and Chip Selloff Rattle Global Markets (July 13–17)

  Week of July 13–17, 2026 It was a rough week to be a tech investor and a good week to own oil. Escalating conflict between the US and Iran pushed crude sharply higher and rattled global markets, while a fresh wave of selling in semiconductor stocks dragged US and Asian indices lower. Closer to home, the Bank of Canada held its key rate steady, and the TSX—less exposed to chipmakers—held up noticeably better than its US and Asian peers. Here’s how the week broke down across every major market, and what it means for your wallet. 🇨🇦 Canada: TSX Day Close Change Mon, Jul 13 35,252.72 -0.15% Wed, Jul 15 (BoC day) 35,416.20 +0.27% Thu, Jul 16 35,340.15 -0.21% Fri, Jul 17 ~35,262 -0.22% Week total (Fri-to-Fri) — ~flat (about -0.1%) The TSX had a choppy but ultimately quiet week compared with its global peers. Monday's session opened with the Strait of Hormuz blockade headlines and closed lower. Wednesday brought a relief rally after the Bank of Canada's rate hold, with financials ...

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S&P 500 Plummets Amid Weak Jobs Report

 


The S&P 500 experienced its worst jobs day since October 2022, as a weak jobs report fueled concerns about the health of the U.S. economy. The index fell by 1.8%, while the Nasdaq 100 and Russell 2000 also saw significant declines, dropping 2.4% and 3.5% respectively.

The disappointing jobs data has intensified fears that the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates at a two-decade high could lead to a more pronounced economic slowdown. This sentiment was echoed by Wall Street giants like Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., who are now calling for more aggressive Fed action.

The selloff was further exacerbated by a plunge in key technology companies, with Intel Corp. experiencing a 26% drop due to a grim growth forecast. The volatility index, often referred to as Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” hit its highest level since March 2023.

As traders project that the Fed will cut rates by more than a full percentage point in 2024, the market’s focus has shifted from “when and how much will the Fed ease” to concerns about a potential economic downturn. This shift in sentiment has led to increased volatility and a flight from riskier assets.

The latest jobs figures suggest that the Fed’s policies may be cooling the labor market too much, raising questions about whether the central bank has been too slow to act. As the market grapples with these uncertainties, investors are taking money off the table and booking profits, leading to continued near-term volatility.


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