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The Rate Cuts Are Over — Is a Hike Coming?

  July 23, 2026 Oil shocks, sticky inflation and a technical recession are pulling the Bank of Canada in opposite directions at once. For most of the past two years, the only question about the Bank of Canada was how far and how fast it would cut. The overnight rate fell from 5.00% to 2.25% between June 2024 and October 2025, one of the sharpest easing cycles in the Bank's history, and it has held there through six consecutive decisions since. That story is now over. The question on the table for the rest of 2026 isn't whether the Bank cuts again — it's whether the next move is actually a hike. Two conflicting signals, one Bank The case for staying put — or even cutting — comes from the growth side of the ledger. Statistics Canada data showed the economy contracted in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meeting the informal definition of a technical recession. That was enough to have some economists warning the Bank had no room to raise rates at a...

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Market Optimism: U.S. Stock Futures Climb Amid China Trade Talks and Fed Decision

U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Wednesday as investors reacted positively to news of upcoming trade discussions between the U.S. and China. Washington announced that representatives from both nations would meet in Switzerland over the weekend, marking a potential step toward de-escalating trade tensions that have rattled global markets.

The Federal Reserve is also in focus, with its policy decision expected later in the day. While the central bank is widely anticipated to hold interest rates steady, traders are closely watching for signals on future monetary policy moves. Market participants are pricing in a possible rate cut by July, following mixed economic data that suggests slowing growth alongside a resilient labor market.

At 07:05 a.m. ET, S&P 500 E-minis were up 0.66%, Nasdaq 100 E-minis gained 0.67%, and Dow E-minis rose 0.73%. Investors are also keeping an eye on corporate earnings, with companies like Walt Disney and Uber Technologies reporting results that could influence market sentiment.

As Wall Street navigates uncertainty, the combination of trade negotiations and Federal Reserve guidance will likely shape market movements in the coming days. Traders remain cautiously optimistic, hoping for clarity on both fronts.

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