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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Hike Odds, Fixed Rates, Tariff Swap, $100 Oil & Budget Countdown (Oct. 25)

  Canadian Money Brief • Sunday, October 25, 2026 A big week for your wallet starts Wednesday. Here are the five things Canadians should know before it begins. 1 The Bank of Canada decides Wednesday, and markets lean toward a hike The Bank of Canada announces its rate decision at 9:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 28, alongside a new Monetary Policy Report. Prediction markets price roughly a 79% chance of a quarter-point hike to 2.50%, up sharply after Governor Tiff Macklem’s hawkish comments at the IMF meetings, though analysts remain split and some expect a “hawkish hold.” The U.S. Fed also decides that day. What it means for you: Variable-rate mortgage and HELOC holders feel it first. A 0.25-point hike works out to roughly $70 more per month on a $500,000 variable mortgage (25-year amortization), and prime would move from 4.45% to 4.70%. A hold means little change until the next decision on Dec. 9. 2 Fixed mortgage rates have already moved without the Bank Fixed rates follow bond ...

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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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