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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...
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Stock Market Today : October 3, 2023


 The Canadian stock market continued its downward trend today. As represented by the S&P/TSX Composite Index, closed at 19,020.92 on October 3, 2023, down by 0.81% from the previous day’s close. The S&P/TSX 60 Index also fell by 0.83% to close at 1,141.80. The S&P/TSX Venture Composite index decreased by 1.68% to close at 536.26. The top gainers on the TSX were Cameco Corporation, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, and Barrick Gold Corporation, while the top losers were Baytex Energy Corp., Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., and Enbridge Inc. 

In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed at 35,258.32, up by 0.10% from the previous day’s close . The S&P 500 index closed at 4,543.76, up by 0.15% from the previous day’s close. The NASDAQ Composite index closed at 15,235.89, up by 0.31% from the previous day’s close. The top gainers on the DJIA were Boeing Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and JPMorgan Chase & Co., while the top losers were Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Visa Inc. .

The reason the markets were down today, is due to the fact  that the 10-year Treasury yield climbed again on October 3, 2023, up to 4.80% from 4.69% late Monday and from just 0.50% early in the pandemic. This increase in yield came after a report showed U.S. employers have many more job openings than expected. Another reason is that there is ongoing debt ceiling drama that is slowly eroding confidence in the country. However, it is important to note that there could be other factors contributing to this decline as well.



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