Skip to main content

Featured

The Fed Just Hiked Rates. Here's What It Means for Your Canadian Mortgage.

  The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 25 basis points yesterday — the first hike in three years. The Bank of Canada hasn't moved. That gap is now the biggest story in Canadian personal finance. MoneySavings.ca  |  September 17, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief Yesterday afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 12-0 to raise the U.S. federal funds rate by a quarter point, pushing it to a target range of 3.75%–4.00%. It's the Fed's first rate hike since July 2023, and Chair Kevin Warsh made clear it almost certainly won't be the last. The Bank of Canada, by contrast, has held its overnight rate at 2.25% through seven straight meetings. It doesn't decide again until October 28. For Canadians with a mortgage, a renewal coming up, or a home equity line of credit, this matters more than it might look at first glance. 3.75–4.00% New U.S. Fed Rate 2.25% Bank of Canada Rate 1.625% Rate Gap (vs. 1.375% yesterday) ~71.5¢ Loonie (post-hike low) What th...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

S&P 500 Knocks on Record's Door as Oil Retreats and Iran Talks Revive — April 15, 2026





MoneySavings.ca  ·  Daily Market Brief

Wednesday, April 15, 2026  ·  Morning Edition

S&P 500 knocks on record's door as oil retreats and Iran talks revive

S&P 500 Futures
7,002
Flat  ·  near all-time high
Nasdaq Futures
25,990
Flat  ·  10-day win streak
Dow Futures
48,700
▼ −0.11%
WTI Crude
$92.52
▼ Down from $104 peak

Markets are pausing for breath on Wednesday after a powerful two-day rally pushed the S&P 500 to within striking distance of its all-time high of 7,002. Futures are holding flat ahead of the open as investors weigh a packed earnings slate and watch U.S.-Iran diplomacy for the next catalyst.

Tuesday's session delivered broad gains — the S&P 500 rose 1.18% to 6,967, the Nasdaq surged 1.96% to 23,639, and the Dow added 0.66% to close at 48,536. A cooler-than-expected Producer Price Index reading for March helped fuel the rally, easing near-term inflation concerns. The Nasdaq is now on a 10-session winning streak, its longest run since 2021.

Key watch: A White House official confirmed a second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations is under discussion. Oil has pulled back sharply from its $104 peak to around $92.52 — welcome news for Canadian households facing elevated fuel and heating costs.

Today's earnings: Bank of America, Morgan Stanley & ASML

Bank of America and Morgan Stanley headline today's earnings calendar, alongside PNC Financial Services. Chip equipment giant ASML already posted strong quarterly results before the open, driven by intense AI-related demand — a positive signal for the broader tech sector heading into the rest of earnings season.

Morgan Stanley's chief investment officer Mike Wilson told CNBC this week that he believes market lows are in, pointing to a rotation back into pro-cyclical sectors as a sign that investors expect a constructive second half of 2026.

Canadian angle

For TSX investors, falling oil prices cut both ways — energy stocks may give back recent gains, but the broader inflation picture improves for Canadian consumers and the Bank of Canada. With the S&P 500 approaching record territory and the Nasdaq on a historic winning streak, sentiment heading into the Canadian session is cautiously optimistic.

Information is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Market data may be delayed. Always consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions. © 2026 MoneySavings.ca

Comments

Post a Comment