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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Hike Odds Near 80%, Oil Tops US$100, Loonie Hits 5-Week High

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Saturday, October 24, 2026 The Bank of Canada is expected to raise rates on Wednesday, oil is back above US$100 and stocks slipped on AI worries. Here are the five things to know this Saturday, and what each one means for your wallet. 1 The Bank of Canada is widely expected to hike on Wednesday Markets are putting roughly an 80% chance on a quarter-point increase at the Bank of Canada’s Oct. 28 decision, which would lift the policy rate from 2.25% to 2.50%. A majority of economists polled by Reuters also expect a second hike by the end of March. The shift followed hawkish comments from Governor Tiff Macklem about a higher inflation outlook driven by oil. What it means for you Every 0.25-point increase adds about $250 a year (roughly $21 a month) for each $100,000 of prime-linked debt, such as a variable-rate mortgage or HELOC. Fixed-rate holders are not hit directly, but renewals are being priced off higher bond yields. Savers may see HISA and...

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Market Gains Amid Anticipation of Key Data and Big Tech Earnings

 

U.S. stock markets saw gains today as investors eagerly await crucial economic data and earnings reports from major technology companies. The Nasdaq Composite rose by approximately 0.7%, while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average each increased by about 0.5%.

The market’s positive movement was partly driven by relief over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Israel’s limited retaliatory strikes on Iran focusing solely on military targets. This development led to a significant drop in oil prices, with Brent crude falling nearly 6% to around $71 a barrel.

Investors are particularly focused on the upcoming earnings reports from five of the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants: Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. These reports are expected to provide insights into whether investments in artificial intelligence are translating into profits. Additionally, the market is bracing for key economic indicators, including the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge and the October jobs report, which could influence future interest rate decisions.

Overall, the anticipation of Big Tech earnings and critical economic data has set the stage for a potentially volatile week in the stock market.


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