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5 Things to Know Today — September 24, 2026

  Thursday, September 24, 2026 5 Things to Know Today Bond yields are hitting levels not seen in decades, Trump and Xi just extended a trade truce, and the Bank of Canada is mired in a near-100-day strike. Here's what Canadians need to know this morning. 1 · Markets TSX Sinks as Bond Yields Hit Multi-Decade Highs The TSX dropped 584 points on Wednesday — a 1.61% slide — closing at 35,751.43 and breaking through its 25-day and 50-day moving averages. It was the worst single-session performance in weeks, reversing three straight days of gains. The selloff was driven by rising energy prices and a global bond market rout that has sent U.S. 10-year Treasury yields toward 5.1%, their highest since 2007, while Canada's 30-year yield hit a level not seen since 2004. Higher yields pull money out of equities and push up borrowing costs across the board. Big bank stocks led the decline — RBC fell 2%, TD dropped 2.4%, BMO shed 2%, and Scotiabank retreated 1.6% — while gold miners added to ...
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Are rate hikes over for Canada


The Canadian economy is expected to show a modest growth of 0.4% in the third quarter of 2023, according to the latest estimates from Statistics Canada. This is lower than the 0.6% expansion in the previous quarter, and well below the 2.1% growth rate that the Bank of Canada projected in July.

The weak GDP numbers have fueled the speculation that the country may be heading into a recession, as global trade tensions, lower oil prices, and household debt weigh on the economic outlook. 

However, not everyone is convinced that the situation is so dire. Some forecasters argue that the third quarter slowdown was mainly due to temporary factors, such as a strike at a major auto plant, a drop in agricultural output due to drought, and a slowdown in housing construction. They expect that the economy will rebound in the fourth quarter, as these factors dissipate and consumer spending picks up.

Moreover, some forecasters point out that the inflation rate remains within the central bank's target range of 1% to 3%, suggesting that there is no need for further monetary stimulus. They also note that the labour market remains strong, with the unemployment rate at a near-record low of 5.5%, and wage growth at a solid 3.2%.

Therefore, some forecasters believe that the Bank of Canada will maintain its wait-and-see approach, and keep interest rates unchanged until there are clear signs of either a sustained recovery or a prolonged downturn. They argue that the central bank has already done enough to support the economy, by cutting interest rates three times in 2022, and that any further easing could fuel financial imbalances and inflationary pressures.

In summary, the GDP numbers for the third quarter of 2023 are likely to spark more debate about the state of the Canadian economy and the direction of monetary policy. However, some forecasters are more optimistic than others, and think that the rate hikes are over for now, unless there is a significant change in the economic conditions.

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