Skip to main content

Featured

The Fed Decides Wednesday — Here's What It Means for Your Mortgage, the Loonie, and Your RRSP

  Monday, July 27, 2026 The U.S. Federal Reserve hands down its rate decision at 2 p.m. ET on July 29. For most Canadians it will feel like background noise. It isn't — here's the plain-language version of why it touches your mortgage, your cross-border spending, and whatever's sitting in your RRSP. The short version: Markets are pricing roughly a two-in-three chance the Fed holds its rate at 3.50%–3.75% on Wednesday. That's not the story. The story is that this is one of the least certain "sure thing" holds in years — and Chair Kevin Warsh's press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET could matter more than the decision itself. Why this meeting is different The Fed has held its benchmark rate steady at 3.50%–3.75% through every meeting so far in 2026. On paper, Wednesday should be more of the same. Under the hood, it's messier. Persistent inflation, running well above the Fed's 2% target for a fifth straight year, has kept a rate hike on the table. The oil-...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

EU to Introduce €3 Duty on Online Parcels Starting July 2026


The European Union has announced that from July 2026, a €3 duty will be applied to all e-commerce parcels entering the bloc. The measure is part of a broader effort to modernize customs procedures, ensure fair competition, and strengthen revenue collection from the rapidly growing online shopping sector.

Currently, small parcels valued under €150 often bypass traditional customs duties, creating loopholes that favor certain sellers outside the EU. The new flat-rate fee aims to simplify the process, reduce fraud, and level the playing field for European businesses.

While the duty is expected to generate significant revenue, critics warn it could increase costs for consumers who frequently purchase low-value items from international platforms. Supporters argue that the measure will enhance transparency and help fund public services, while also encouraging buyers to shop locally.

The EU plans to roll out digital customs systems alongside the new duty, making parcel tracking and fee collection more efficient.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment