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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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Wall Street Holds Steady Amid Trump's Tariff Threats

                                       

US stocks showed resilience on Tuesday as investors weighed President-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose fresh tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico. The S&P 500 inched up roughly 0.3%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped about 0.4%. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.3% after hitting a record high.

Trump's pledge to impose tariffs from his first day in office initially sparked trade war fears, but Wall Street seemed to take the news in stride, holding onto gains from Monday's Bessent-bounce. Investors are now closely watching the release of Federal Reserve minutes for clues on the pace of interest rate cuts in the coming year.

European carmakers, particularly Nissan and Honda, faced pressure due to Trump's "America First" push, while the Mexican peso and Canadian dollar dropped sharply. Meanwhile, bitcoin retreated to trade around $92,840 per token as its bid for the $100,000 milestone ran out of steam.




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