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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...
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US Futures Stall After Record-Setting Rally

 


US stock futures wobbled on Friday, losing steam after a record-setting rally and blowout month as the relief sparked by an influential inflation reading ebbed. The S&P 500 futures were little changed, coming off the benchmark’s record close and best February in almost a decade. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 also wavered around the flatline.

Stocks are kicking off March in a subdued mood, a shift from the upbeat reaction to PCE data that showed inflation continued to cool — easing worries the Federal Reserve would get more reason to hold off from interest-rate cuts. But further scrutiny has highlighted signs of “sticky” inflation that will be harder to shift.

Among big movers, shares in New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) tumbled 20% in premarket after the exit of its CEO, a $2.7 billion quarterly loss, and findings of “material weaknesses” in the bank’s loan processes. Meanwhile, Dell (DELL) shares rose almost 25% in the wake of a quarterly sales and profit beat fueled by AI prospects for its servers. Developments at OpenAI caught the attention of investors tracking the sector. Elon Musk has sued the Microsoft-backed company and its CEO Sam Altman, among others, over a breach of contract. Also, the ChatGPT maker is reportedly set to name new board members in March to end an impasse linked to Altman’s abrupt firing last year.

In summary, the market’s exuberance has tempered, and investors are closely watching inflation trends and corporate developments. As we navigate March, the delicate balance between economic indicators and market sentiment remains crucial.


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