Market Brief, North America

It’s the summer of 2023, and Canada’s biggest exports are wildfire smoke and higher interest rates. Yields are up across most developed economies after the Bank of Canada joined the Reserve Bank of Australia in demonstrating that central bank monetary tightening cycles aren’t yet complete. Equity futures are holding steady, short-term Treasury yields remain elevated, and the dollar is holding yesterday’s against most of its major rivals. The Canadian dollar is only incrementally higher after the central bank opted to raise rates, suggesting that market conviction was low and investors were well prepared ahead of the decision – but also that...

An easing in tail risks is helping lift global markets this morning after the US House of Representatives passed a bill to raise the debt ceiling. The measure passed by a 314-117 margin late last night, with Democrats joining with centrist Republicans to push the bill forward for approval in the Senate. Although disappointing earnings estimates are weighing on several of the biggest tech names, equity futures are broadly higher, Treasuries are reversing yesterday’s rally, and the dollar is edging upward against most of its major counterparts. The number of US employment vacancies jumped unexpectedly last month, further firming odds...