Skip to main content

Featured

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...

article

Global Markets Reel as China Responds to U.S. Tariffs

 


Global financial markets faced a sharp downturn as China announced retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping trade measures. The Chinese government imposed a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports, mirroring the rate of the U.S. tariffs introduced earlier this week. This move has intensified fears of a global trade war, sending shockwaves through stock markets worldwide.

Major indices, including the S&P/TSX in Canada, experienced significant losses, with futures dropping by 2.7% early Friday. Asian and European markets also saw steep declines, while U.S. stock futures pointed to further losses on Wall Street. The tariffs have raised concerns about a potential global recession, as industries and economies brace for the impact of escalating trade tensions.

Commodities were not spared, with oil prices hitting their lowest levels since the pandemic, and gold—a traditional safe haven—experiencing fluctuations. Economists warn that the ongoing trade conflict could lead to a contraction in global trade volumes, further straining economic growth.

The situation remains fluid, with investors and policymakers closely monitoring developments. The global economy now faces a critical juncture as the repercussions of these tariffs unfold.

Comments