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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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Stock Market Today: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Futures Point Higher Ahead of Key Inflation Data

US stock futures are showing optimism as Wall Street awaits crucial inflation data. Here are the highlights:

  • S&P 500 Futures (ES=F): Up 0.2%
  • Nasdaq Futures (NQ=F): Rose 0.3%
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures (YM=F): Hovering just below the flatline.

Investors are closely monitoring economic indicators this week. Tomorrow, we’ll get the latest reading on consumer prices, followed by July’s retail sales data on Thursday. After a recent bout of volatility, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are gradually recovering toward their year-to-date highs.

In individual stock news:

  • Home Depot (HD): Shares fell after the company adjusted its outlook for comparable same-store sales.
  • Nvidia (NVDA): Gained over 1% in premarket trading, building on Monday’s 4% gain.
  • Trump Media (DJT): Shares declined further after former President Donald Trump’s return to the X platform for a live event with CEO Elon Musk.


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