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5 Things to Know Today — Fed Hikes, BoE Warns, and the TSX Is Bouncing Back

  The Fed's first rate hike since 2023 rocked markets Wednesday. Here's what it means for your wallet on Friday, September 18. Friday, September 18, 2026  |  moneysavings.ca 1 The Fed Hiked — First Time Since 2023 The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a target range of 3.75%–4.00% on Wednesday — the first hike since June 2023. Chair Kevin Warsh cited persistent inflation tied to elevated oil prices and a still-resilient economy, saying recent inflation readings hadn't improved enough to justify holding. The decision was unanimous. The updated dot plot signals one more potential hike by year-end, then a pause through 2027. Markets initially sold off, but U.S. futures are rebounding this morning as investors reframe the move as a sign the Fed is serious about getting inflation under control. 💡 What It Means for You A higher U.S. federal funds rate puts upward pressure on Canadian bond yields and mortgage rates. The BoC is already...

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Wall Street Futures Dip as Holiday-Shortened Week Concludes

 

 U.S. stock index futures fell on Friday as Wall Street wrapped up a holiday-shortened week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 119 points (0.27%), while S&P 500 futures declined by 22 points (0.36%). Futures tracking the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 also fell by 92.25 points (0.42%).

Despite the dip, the S&P 500 has nearly recovered from last week's losses, driven by the U.S. Federal Reserve's projection of fewer interest rate cuts in 2025. The benchmark index is now just 1% below its all-time high reached on December 6.

Investors are now eyeing the "Santa Claus rally," a traditional stock-buying season in the last five trading sessions of December and the first two of January. Historically, the S&P 500 has climbed 1.3% on average during this period since 1969.

Trading volumes have been lower than average this week and are expected to remain subdued until January 6. The next major focus for markets will be the December employment report due on January 10.




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