Macro Pulse β€” Apr 19 to April 25, 2026

DataForgeStudio
April 26, 2026
Market Pulse UNKNOWN
Fear & Greed Index33 β€” Fear
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
10Y Yield4.29%
2Y Yield3.76%
Fed Funds3.64%
Unemployment4.30%
WTI Oil102.86 USD
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada
BoC Rate2.25%
GoC 10Y3.50%
Unemployment6.60%
CPI167.40
Mortgage 5Y3.62%
Home Price201.84
πŸ”­ On The Radar
πŸ“Š Earnings This Week
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US
  • HOOD WATCH HOOD 2026-04-28 00:00:00 EPS est. 0.43
  • V WATCH V 2026-04-28 00:00:00 EPS est. 3.10
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada
  • CLS.TO WATCH CLS.TO 2026-04-27 00:00:00 EPS est. 2.08
  • TFII.TO WATCH TFII.TO 2026-04-27 00:00:00 EPS est. 0.61
  • ARE.TO WATCH ARE.TO 2026-04-28 00:00:00 EPS est. -0.21
  • TIH.TO WATCH TIH.TO 2026-04-28 00:00:00 EPS est. 1.08
  • ARX.TO WATCH ARX.TO 2026-04-28 00:00:00 EPS est. 0.70
  • WCP.TO WATCH WCP.TO 2026-04-29 00:00:00 EPS est. 0.23
US Inflation and Labour

Recent data shows that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stands at 330.2 and the Producer Price Index (PPI) at 154.0, both reflecting a slight cooling trend in inflation compared to peak levels. However, inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s comfort zone. The JOLTS openings rate at 4.2% indicates a softening labour market, but it is not collapsing.

Unemployment at 4.3% is gradually increasing, consistent with a late-cycle labour market that is loosening. This suggests the Fed has room to cut rates but no immediate urgency to do so.

Global Growth

US GDP growth is barely positive at +0.12% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ). In contrast, Canada is experiencing a contraction at -0.15% QoQ, with unemployment at 6.7%, indicating significant pressure on the domestic economy. Among G7 countries, Germany, with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, appears to have a relatively tight labour market, but its export-dependent economy faces challenges due to weak global trade.

The UK, with an unemployment rate of 5.2%, sits in the middle. The most critical divergence is between Canada and the US, where Canada is softening faster, which has direct implications for the Canadian dollar (CAD), rate differentials, and TSX exporters.

Central Bank Posture

The Bank of Canada (BoC) has a policy rate of 2.25%, which is already below the Federal Reserve’s implied range. The Canadian yield curve, with a spread of +63bps between 2s and 10s, is flatter than the US curve (+72bps). Both curves are positively sloped, suggesting that markets expect a modest recovery but not a boom.

Given negative GDP and elevated unemployment, the BoC has more room and reason to cut rates further. The Fed, on the other hand, is on hold unless labour conditions deteriorate. The divergence in rate policies favours a weaker CAD in the near term, which benefits Canadian exporters and hinders US-denominated imports.

Fiscal Health

There is no World Bank debt ratio data available in this snapshot. This information will be flagged for the next cycle update.

Macro Outlook

The macroeconomic outlook suggests that Canada is the weaker horse in this scenario. Negative GDP growth, high unemployment, and the likelihood of further BoC rate cuts put pressure on the CAD and domestic consumption-facing equities. The US economy, while slowing, is not breaking, and the positively sloped yield curve indicates that the bond market does not currently price a recession.

For positioning, this macro backdrop favours Canadian exporters with USD revenue, commodity names that benefit from a weaker CAD, and a cautious stance on rate-sensitive domestic plays like REITs and consumer discretionary stocks. The next BoC decision could serve as a potential catalyst for further market movements.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.

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