Skip to main content

Featured

BoC Holds at 2.25%: What the Rate Decision (and Rising Gas Prices) Mean for Your Wallet

  Thursday, July 16, 2026 Sixth consecutive hold. A weaker 2026 growth forecast. And inflation that's running hotter because of gas prices, not the usual suspects. Here's what actually changes for you. The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25% on Wednesday, exactly as markets expected. No surprise there. What's more interesting is why it held, and what it revealed about where the economy — and your bills — are headed next. This was the sixth straight hold since the Bank finished its easing cycle back in October. But buried in the accompanying Monetary Policy Report were a few numbers worth your attention. The Numbers That Matter Overnight Rate 2.25% (unchanged) Prime Rate (typical) 4.45% 2026 GDP Growth Forecast 0.7% (cut from 1.2%) 2027 / 2028 Growth Forecast 1.8% each year May CPI Inflation 3.2% Inflation Excluding Gasoline 2.2% Unemployment Rate (June) 6.5% Next Rate Decision September 2, 2026 Why Gas Prices Are Driving This Decision Here's the twist in th...

article

Global Markets Rebound as Trump Eases Trade Tensions

In a dramatic turn of events, European and Asian stock markets surged following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pause steep tariffs on most countries. This move, announced after a period of heightened trade tensions, brought relief to global investors and sparked a rally across major indices.

European markets saw significant gains, with Frankfurt's DAX jumping over 7%, Paris climbing 7.3%, and London's FTSE 100 rising by 5.3%. Asian markets mirrored this optimism, with indices like Japan's Nikkei 225 and South Korea's Kospi posting substantial increases. The pause in tariffs, however, excluded China, which faced an escalation in duties to 125%, intensifying the trade war between the two economic giants.

While the temporary suspension of tariffs has provided a much-needed boost to global markets, analysts caution that uncertainty remains. The baseline 10% tariff on imports persists, and the unpredictability of future trade policies continues to loom over the global economy.

This development underscores the delicate balance between economic diplomacy and market stability, as nations navigate the complexities of international trade in an era of shifting policies.

Comments