Saunders Wealth Advisory Group

07/19/2026

In this week’s Week Ahead, Benjamin Tal says U.S. economic resilience should not be mistaken for strength. As inflation eases, the Fed may need to look beyond the headline numbers and focus on underlying fragility.

07/17/2026

Did you know economic and market performance can impact all aspects of your wealth plan from cash flow management to your investment strategy?

In the latest Weekly Market Roundup, our partners at CIBC Global Asset Management discuss recent economic data and how the markets reacted this week. If you’d like to discuss this commentary or have questions about your investment portfolio, please get in touch with me anytime.

Economic data US bank earnings opened the week with a clear beat, powered by record profits from trading and dealmaking. Management teams struck a notably steady tone, pointing to resilient consumer spending, stable labour market conditions, healthy commercial balance sheets and limited signs of cre

07/17/2026

US retail sales advanced again in June, demonstrating the ongoing resilience of US consumers despite economic uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East. While June’s sales growth was a slowdown from May, the underlying data showed less spending on gasoline, which opened the opportunity to raise discretionary spending.

In total, seven of 13 retail categories increased over the month, including a boost from Amazon.com’s Prime Day and the FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by the US, along with Canada and Mexico.

07/17/2026

With the Bank of Canada keeping its rate unchanged at 2.25%, the latest outlook points to gradual economic improvement, even as global uncertainty remains. It’s a timely reminder of the value of thoughtful financial planning in an everchanging environment.

Read this article by BNN Bloomberg for more information, https://bit.ly/4vyJQ2s

The Bank of Canada is holding its policy rate at 2.25 per cent and says that it expects the Canadian economy to improve, despite flatlined growth over the past 18 months.

07/16/2026

At its fifth meeting of 2026, the Bank of Canada (BoC) elected to keep its benchmark overnight interest rate unchanged. The rate hold was widely expected by economists. The BoC is comfortable with its current monetary policy stance, believing it can help bring inflation back to its 2% target while supporting Canada’s economic activity.

In other Canadian economic news, home sales grew at a slower pace in June compared to May, with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) lowering its guidance for home sales this year.

07/15/2026

Inflationary pressures in the US moderated in June, which may ease pressure on the US Federal Reserve Board (Fed) to raise interest rates. Inflation surged higher over March to May amid the conflict in the Middle East, which pushed up oil prices. In June, upward price pressures on oil faded as the US and Iran reached an interim peace deal.

While the slowdown was encouraging for markets and the US economy, inflation remains elevated, meaning the Fed cannot completely rule out an interest-rate hike. In fact, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh commented yesterday the Fed will not tolerate high inflation.

07/14/2026

Last Friday, Statistics Canada released Canadian labour market data for June. The report was largely positive, showing the Canadian economy added jobs, with the unemployment rate edging lower.

Labour market conditions in Canada were relatively soft over 2026 amid ongoing trade disruptions and heightening geopolitical tensions. However, the last two months saw a pick-up in jobs, which may be pointing to a stabilizing market. Here’s more from June’s labour market report.

07/13/2026

The Bank of Canada (BoC) will headline economic stories out of Canada this week. Markets will closely monitor statements from the BoC on the expected path of inflation and the economy, and what they might mean for monetary policy.

There are also several critical economic announcements in the US, which will give insight into the health of the that country’s economy. Markets’ attention will also be on the Middle East, where US-Iran tensions reemerged last week, putting peace negotiations into question. Here’s what to watch for this week.

07/12/2026

In this week’s The Week Ahead, Avery Shenfeld looks at why preserving CUSMA still matters for Canada’s economy, alongside key upcoming market drivers including the Bank of Canada decision and important U.S. inflation and consumer data.

07/10/2026

Did you know economic and market performance can impact all aspects of your wealth plan from cash flow management to your investment strategy?

In the latest Weekly Market Roundup, our partners at CIBC Global Asset Management discuss recent economic data and how the markets reacted this week. If you’d like to discuss this commentary or have questions about your investment portfolio, please get in touch with me anytime.

Economic data The past week was relatively light on top-tier US economic releases, but it nevertheless reinforced the dominant macro narrative of resilient growth colliding with persistent inflation pressures. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Services Index remained comfortably in expansion