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5 Things to Know Today — Fed Hikes, BoE Warns, and the TSX Is Bouncing Back

  The Fed's first rate hike since 2023 rocked markets Wednesday. Here's what it means for your wallet on Friday, September 18. Friday, September 18, 2026  |  moneysavings.ca 1 The Fed Hiked — First Time Since 2023 The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a target range of 3.75%–4.00% on Wednesday — the first hike since June 2023. Chair Kevin Warsh cited persistent inflation tied to elevated oil prices and a still-resilient economy, saying recent inflation readings hadn't improved enough to justify holding. The decision was unanimous. The updated dot plot signals one more potential hike by year-end, then a pause through 2027. Markets initially sold off, but U.S. futures are rebounding this morning as investors reframe the move as a sign the Fed is serious about getting inflation under control. 💡 What It Means for You A higher U.S. federal funds rate puts upward pressure on Canadian bond yields and mortgage rates. The BoC is already...
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Market Turmoil as U.S. Consumer Confidence Plummets

In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. consumer confidence experienced its steepest decline in three and a half years, sending shockwaves through the stock market. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index fell to 98.3 in February, down from 105.3 in January. This seven-point drop marks the largest single-month decline since August 2021.

The decline in consumer confidence has been attributed to a mix of factors, including rising inflation, concerns over tariffs, and uncertainty surrounding the policies of President Donald Trump. Stephanie Guichard, senior economist for Global Indicators at The Conference Board, noted that consumers became increasingly pessimistic about future business conditions and less optimistic about future income.

The impact of this decline was felt across the stock market, with major indices experiencing significant losses. The Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled 1.4%, while the S&P 500 shed 0.5%. Investors are now closely watching upcoming economic data releases, particularly Friday's inflation report, for further insights into the state of the U.S. economy.

As consumer confidence wanes, the outlook for the U.S. economy remains uncertain. The potential for a recession looms large, with the Conference Board's expectations index dropping below the threshold that typically signals a recession ahead. For now, both consumers and investors are left grappling with the implications of this sudden shift in sentiment.


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