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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...
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Stock Market Today: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Extend Winning Streak Ahead of Jackson Hole Symposium

US stocks continued their upward momentum today, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both on track for their eighth consecutive daily gain. Investors are eagerly awaiting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium later this week.

Key Points:

  1. S&P 500 ( ^GSPC): The broad-market index rose 0.5%, extending its longest winning streak of the year.
  2. Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC): The tech-heavy index increased more than 0.5%, also aiming for an eighth consecutive session win.
  3. Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI): The Dow gained over 200 points, mirroring the positive sentiment.

Last week’s strong rally helped recover losses from an early August sell-off, as encouraging inflation and consumer spending data eased recession concerns. Confidence in a “soft landing” for the economy has grown, leading investors to focus on the magnitude of potential rate cuts by the Fed in September.

Keep an eye on Powell’s speech and the upcoming Democratic National Convention for further market insights.


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