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Gas Prices Are Spiking Again — Here's How to Protect Your Wallet as the Iran Conflict Escalates

  Published July 20, 2026 If it feels like you're filling up more often for the same money lately, you're not imagining it. Oil markets jolted higher to start the week, and Canadian drivers are almost certain to see it at the pump in the next few days. What just happened Brent crude — the global benchmark that drives Canadian gas pricing — jumped nearly 4% on Monday to trade above US$90 a barrel, its highest level since mid-June, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near US$84. The move came after the United States and Iran escalated hostilities over the weekend, including strikes on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil facility in Kuwait. That strait matters enormously to your gas bill: roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes through it. When shipping through it slows or stalls, traders price in a "risk premium" almost immediately — and that shows up at Canadian pumps within days, not weeks. What it mea...

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S&P 500 Surpasses 6,000 Mark Amid Trump and Fed-Driven Surge

 

In a historic milestone, the S&P 500 index has broken through the 6,000-point barrier for the first time. This remarkable achievement comes on the heels of Donald Trump’s re-election and a series of favorable economic policies anticipated from a Republican-controlled Congress. The Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points has further fueled investor optimism, propelling the market to new heights.

The rally, which has seen the S&P 500 post its best week in nearly a year, is driven by expectations of business-friendly policies, including tax cuts and deregulation, which are expected to boost corporate profits. Investors are also buoyed by the Fed’s commitment to maintaining a supportive monetary policy environment.

Market analysts suggest that the 6,000 mark is a psychologically significant milestone that could attract more investment into equities, as there remains substantial capital on the sidelines in money market funds and bonds. The combination of strong earnings, economic growth, and the so-called “Fed put” is expected to continue driving the market higher in the medium term.

However, there are concerns about potential inflationary pressures from Trump’s expansive fiscal policies and proposed tariff hikes, which could complicate the Federal Reserve’s path forward. Despite these uncertainties, the immediate market reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with all major indexes closing at record highs.

As investors celebrate this landmark achievement, the focus will now shift to how the new administration’s policies will unfold and their long-term impact on the economy and financial markets.


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