Skip to main content

Featured

The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — And It's Paying 25% More

  Sunday, July 19, 2026 If you've relied on the quarterly GST/HST credit, that name is gone for good. Here's what replaced it, how much more it's worth, and whether you need to do anything to get it. For years, the GST/HST credit quietly landed in millions of Canadian bank accounts every three months — a modest, tax-free top-up meant to offset sales tax on everyday purchases. As of this month, that program no longer exists under its old name. It's now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and the federal government has permanently increased the payment by 25%, locked in for five years. If you already qualified for the GST/HST credit, you don't need to apply for anything new. But you should know what changed, because the numbers — and the timeline — are more involved than a simple rename. What actually changed The CGEB was first announced by the federal government in January 2026 as part of a broader affordability push, and it became law with the passa...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Global Markets Weekly Wrap: TSX Hits 35,274 as Wall Street and Europe Rally

 


Week of June 29 – July 3, 2026

It was a strong week for equities almost everywhere you looked. Canadian, U.S., and European markets all closed higher, with a softer U.S. jobs report cooling rate-hike fears and giving stocks room to run into the long weekend. Here's how Canada, the U.S., and the rest of the world's major markets performed.

Canada

IndexCloseWeekly Change
S&P/TSX Composite35,274.84+294.84 (+0.84%)
TSX Venture Composite938.28+2.61% (Fri.)
Canadian Dollar (CAD/USD)US$0.7043-0.10% (Fri.)

Gold and materials stocks led the TSX higher on the week. Canadian markets were closed Wednesday, July 1 for Canada Day.

United States

IndexCloseWeekly Change
S&P 5007,483.24+1.8%
Dow Jones Industrial Average52,900.07+2.0% (record high)
Nasdaq Composite25,832.67+2.1%

Figures reflect Thursday, July 2 closing levels; U.S. markets were closed Friday, July 3 for Independence Day (observed). A softer-than-expected June jobs report drove gains by easing fears of further Fed rate hikes, though tech and chip names lagged into the holiday.

Europe

IndexWeekly Change
FTSE 100 (UK)+1.38%
DAX (Germany)+3.69%
CAC 40 (France)+1.07%
STOXX Europe 600+1.96%

Figures cover the four sessions ended Thursday, July 2. Falling eurozone inflation (2.8% in June, down from 3.2%) and easing oil prices supported sentiment; Germany's DAX led the region on strength in cyclical and industrial names.

Asia-Pacific

IndexWeekly Change
Nikkei 225 (Japan)-0.91%
Hang Seng (Hong Kong)+1.69%

Figures cover the four sessions ended Thursday, July 2. Japan's Nikkei slipped as investors took profits in richly valued tech and semiconductor names, even as the broader TOPIX Index gained on strength in financials. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose on strength in technology, financial, and retail shares.

The Big Picture

Jobs data was the week's main catalyst. A weaker-than-expected U.S. payrolls report reduced expectations for further Federal Reserve rate hikes, lifting sentiment across North American and European markets alike.

Gold and resources shone in Canada. Precious metals and materials stocks drove the TSX's advance, while the small-cap TSX Venture Composite had an especially strong Friday.

Records south of the border. The Dow Jones Industrial Average touched a fresh record high this week, even as chipmakers and AI-related names cooled off after a strong run in the first half of 2026.

Cooling inflation supported Europe. Eurozone inflation came in below expectations, easing pressure on the European Central Bank and helping major indexes across the region post solid weekly gains.

Asia was mixed. Japan saw some profit-taking in tech after a strong AI-driven rally, while Hong Kong stocks advanced on gains in technology, financial, and retail names.

What to Watch Next Week

  • U.S. and Canadian markets both trade a full week, with all major exchanges reopening Monday, July 6.
  • The Bank of Canada's next rate announcement lands on July 15, with the policy rate currently holding at 2.25%.
  • Continued watch on AI and chip stocks in the U.S. and Asia following this week's pullback from recent highs.
  • Eurozone inflation trends and their influence on the European Central Bank's next moves.

This Weekly Market Snapshot is part of the Canadian Money Brief series on MoneySavings.ca. Market data sourced from TMX/S&P Dow Jones Indices, Yahoo Finance, Investing.com, and T. Rowe Price Global Markets Weekly Update. This content is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment