Brazil Cuts Selic Rate to 14% as Inflation Eases but Risks Persist 
Asian Stocks Cautious Ahead of US Jobs Data as Oil Rises 
Australian Shares Fall as Westpac Slides, Miners Gain Ahead of RBA Decision 
Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady as Kevin Warsh Says Rising Treasury Yields Tighten Financial Conditions 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Eurozone Bond Yields Fall as Oil Slump Eases Inflation Fears Ahead of Central Bank Meetings 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
BOJ Minutes Signal More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Grow 
Australia Inflation Cools as Core CPI Misses Forecasts, Easing RBA Rate Hike Pressure 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady for 14th Month as Economic Recovery Remains Uneven 
Canada’s main stock index opened the week trading mostly flat, stabilizing after Friday’s pullback as investors shift focus to major central bank decisions. The S&P/TSX Composite Index slipped 0.5% in the previous session, losing 166 points to close at 31,311.41, with decliners narrowly outpacing gainers. Despite the dip, the index recently touched record highs, supported by strong quarterly results from Canada’s major banks.
Market sentiment is being shaped largely by expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again this Wednesday. Anticipation strengthened after the delayed September core PCE index—widely viewed as the Fed’s preferred inflation measure—showed softer-than-expected price growth. Coupled with weakening labor market signals and cooling consumer spending, investors are increasingly confident the Fed will move ahead with additional policy easing to support the U.S. economy.
The Bank of Canada will also make its rate announcement on Wednesday, though analysts broadly expect policymakers to hold the benchmark rate at 2.25%. With inflation now firmly within the target range and the Canadian economy showing steady growth, economists project that interest rates could remain unchanged until at least 2027, reducing the likelihood of near-term cuts.
Gold prices were mostly stable, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and rising expectations of a Fed rate cut. Spot gold inched up 0.4% to $4,212.67 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures dipped slightly to $4,242.15. Investor caution kept gains modest despite growing conviction that monetary policy will loosen.
Oil prices retreated after hitting two-week highs, as traders locked in profits ahead of the Fed decision. Brent crude fell 1.1% to $63.08 a barrel, while WTI slipped to $59.43. Broader energy market sentiment remains sensitive to geopolitical developments, including slow progress in Ukraine peace efforts and ongoing G7–EU discussions about replacing the Russian oil price cap with a stricter maritime services ban.
