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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Hike Bets, TSX Slide, Oil Near $100 (Oct. 23)

  Canadian Money Brief • Friday, October 23, 2026 The Bank of Canada decision is five days away, the TSX gave back most of Wednesday's gains, and oil is flirting with US$100 again. Here are the five things Canadian wallets need to know today. 1. Markets Lean Toward a Bank of Canada Hike on Oct. 28 A decision that looked like a ninth straight hold is now a genuine coin flip with a hawkish tilt. After Governor Tiff Macklem warned that there is "no resolution in sight" for the Middle East conflict, BMO and Desjardins flipped to a hike call, Scotiabank firmed up its call and Goldman Sachs joined them, all looking for a quarter-point move to 2.50%. Overnight swaps priced about an 87% chance of a hike earlier this week, though other economists still argue for a hold, pointing to September's 68,000 job losses and a 6.5% unemployment rate. What it means for you: A quarter-point hike adds roughly $21 a month in interest for every $100,000 of variable-rate borrowing (HELOCs an...

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Trade War Escalates: China Strikes Back at U.S. Tariffs

China has retaliated against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to increase tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, raising its own tariffs on American imports to 125%. This tit-for-tat escalation has intensified the trade war between the world's two largest economies, sending shockwaves through global markets.

The turmoil has left foreign leaders grappling with the disruption to international trade and supply chains. Stocks have plummeted, the dollar has weakened, and U.S. government bonds have faced a sell-off. Gold, often seen as a safe haven during economic uncertainty, has reached record highs.

While Trump expressed hope for a deal with China, the uncertainty has fueled fears of a global recession. China's Finance Ministry has condemned the U.S. tariffs as "unilateral bullying and coercion," signaling that Beijing is prepared to fight to the end.

The escalating trade conflict underscores the fragility of the global economy and the challenges of navigating such high-stakes negotiations. What do you think about this unfolding drama?

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