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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...

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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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