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Macklem Just Raised the Inflation Alarm: What Monday’s CPI Means for Your Wallet

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Sunday, October 18, 2026  |  Written ahead of Monday’s 8:30 am ET inflation release Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has just told Canadians what the central bank is about to say on October 28: its inflation forecast is going up, and by a lot. The reason is oil. With the Middle East conflict dragging on, shipments still curtailed and refinery capacity damaged, he said the risk that inflation broadens and lingers has gone up. Speaking to reporters from Bangkok on Saturday, he framed the coming decision as a simple question: will inflation drift back toward 2% on its own, or does the Bank need to raise rates to nudge it there? Monday is the first real clue. Here is what is landing, what economists expect, and what it could mean for your gas bill, your grocery cart, your heating costs and your mortgage. 3.0% August CPI, year over year 3.2% September consensus (Reuters poll) 2.25% BoC policy rate, unchanged for nearly a year Oct 28 Rat...

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US Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Key Economic Signals

US stock futures are pointing to a slightly higher open today as Wall Street gears up for a week full of crucial economic data signals. Here’s what investors need to know:

  • Futures Performance:

    • Futures tied to the S&P 500 (ES=F) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (NQ=F) both rose around 0.3%.
    • Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) were up about 0.2%.
  • Market Volatility:

    • Last week was a rollercoaster ride for markets, leaving investors “on edge.”
    • Despite ending practically where they started, major indexes experienced significant volatility throughout the week.
  • Upcoming Data:

    • Wednesday: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) will provide fresh insights into inflation.
    • Thursday:
      • July’s retail sales data will offer a glimpse into the state of the US consumer.
      • Walmart (WMT) earnings will also be closely watched.
  • Fed Rate Cut Expectations:

    • Markets are interpreting good news as a positive sign, but volatility may hinge on the data signals.
    • The slowing economy has shifted the debate from whether the Federal Reserve should cut interest rates in September to how much they should cut.
    • Traders expect a 25-basis-point cut next month, while some anticipate a larger 50-basis-point cut.


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