Published July 5, 2026 Your morning rundown on the Canadian economy, markets, and money moves — TSX hits a record close, CUSMA talks roll past the deadline, the first CGEB payment lands, and what to expect ahead of the Bank of Canada's July 15 decision. 1. TSX closes at a record high on gold-miner strength The S&P/TSX Composite climbed 0.9% to close at a record 35,275 on Friday, July 3, powered by gold mining stocks. Gold prices firmed after U.S. nonfarm payrolls for June came in at roughly half the expected pace, fuelling bets that the Federal Reserve could turn more dovish. Agnico Eagle, Wheaton Precious Metals, and Barrick all posted solid gains, while financials like Scotiabank and BMO also moved higher on easing oil-supply concerns. Why it matters: if you hold Canadian equity index funds in your TFSA or RRSP, resource and financial-sector strength has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting this year — worth knowing if your portfolio feels more concentrated than you'd...
U.S. Treasury Secretary Warns of Approaching Debt Ceiling Crisis
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has issued a stark warning that the United States could hit its debt ceiling as early as mid-January. In a letter to congressional leaders, Yellen stated that her agency would need to begin taking "extraordinary measures" to prevent the nation from breaching the debt limit. These measures are special accounting maneuvers intended to keep the government operating without defaulting on its obligations.
Yellen emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging Congress to act swiftly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States. The debt ceiling, which had been suspended until January 1, 2025, is expected to be reinstated on January 2, 2025. However, due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments, the Treasury does not expect to need to take extraordinary measures until January 14 to January 23.
The federal debt currently stands at approximately $36 trillion, a figure that has grown significantly over the years under both Republican and Democratic administrations. The spike in inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased government borrowing costs, making the situation even more critical.
Yellen's warning comes after President Joe Biden signed a bill last week that averted a government shutdown but did not address the debt ceiling issue. The bill was passed only after intense debate among Republicans over how to handle President-elect Donald Trump's demand to raise or suspend the debt limit.
As the new year approaches, the nation's fiscal health hangs in the balance, with lawmakers facing a critical decision on how to address the impending debt ceiling crisis.
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