Thursday, July 9, 2026 Every July, a wave of federal benefit payments resets for the new benefit year — and 2026 brings one of the biggest shifts in years. Between a permanent 25% boost to the old GST/HST credit, a fresh Canada Child Benefit increase, and the largest quarterly OAS bump of the year, millions of Canadian households will see different numbers land in their accounts this month. Here's what actually changed, and what to check in your own CRA account. The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) . It's not a new program from scratch — it runs on the same CRA infrastructure and eligibility rules — but the payment amounts are 25% higher, and that increase is locked in for five years. The first CGEB payment went out on July 3, 2026. Under the new structure: A single individual with no children can receive up to roughly $679 per year (about $170 per quart...
Market Rally Takes a Breather Amid Investor Caution
The relentless rally in U.S. stocks has finally hit a pause, with futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 showing slight declines in early trading on Tuesday. This comes after both indices closed at record highs on Monday, driven by a post-election surge and investor optimism.
Market Performance
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dipped by 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures fell by 0.2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures also edged down by 0.1%. This slight pullback is seen as a natural pause after a week of significant gains that pushed major indices to unprecedented levels.
Investor Sentiment
Wall Street analysts are signaling caution, suggesting that the recent surge might be overdone. According to Bank of America, investor exposure to U.S. stocks has reached an 11-year high, which could set the stage for profit-taking. Citi strategists echoed this sentiment, noting that the bullish bets might soon lead to a market correction.
Economic and Political Factors
The market is also digesting the potential policy impacts of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks. Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been nominated for Secretary of State, joining other high-profile China hawks in the administration. This has raised concerns about tougher tariffs on Chinese goods, which could spur inflation and affect global trade dynamics.
Cryptocurrency Surge
In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin’s rally continues, with the digital currency nearing the $90,000 mark before easing back to around $87,240. This surge is attributed to investor optimism surrounding Trump’s pro-crypto policies.
Upcoming Economic Data
Investors are now turning their attention to upcoming economic reports. Wednesday’s consumer price index (CPI) for October will be closely watched for signs of cooling inflation, which is a key focus for the Federal Reserve. Additionally, Thursday’s retail sales data will provide further insights into consumer spending trends ahead of the holiday season.
Conclusion
While the market’s recent performance has been impressive, the current pause reflects a mix of profit-taking and cautious optimism. As investors await more economic data and clarity on the new administration’s policies, the market could see increased volatility in the coming weeks.
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