Soft inflation numbers and oil push S&P and TSX to highs

The annual U.S. inflation rate cooled to 3.4% in July 2026, down from 3.5% in June. That and a 2.5% decline in WTI to US$81.20 lessened the odds of the U.S. Fed raising interest rates. These two factors sent markets rallying. By far, tech was the strongest sector on the TSX, which extended its winning streak to post another record close. The TSX rose 80 points to 36,742. Key names were Shopify up 5.33%, Suncor 2.37%, Bird Construction 11.44% and Boyd Group -12.56%. Silver declined 1.45% to US$64.25 while gold sank 1.32% to US$4,350.

The S&P made its own high after rising 0.65%, the Nasdaq 0.81% and the Dow 0.14%. Major movers: 17.78%, Sandisk 13.67%, Intel 3.58%, Super Micro Computer 4.17% and Cisco -8.4%. The U.S. 10-year yield declined to 4.649% while Bitcoin slipped US$185 to US$63,360.

🛍 Shopify Inc. (SHOP.TO) +5.33%

🛢 Suncor Energy Inc (SU.TO) +2.37%

⚙ Bird Construction (BDT.TO) +11.44%

🚘 Boyd Group Services Inc. (BYD.TO) -12.56%

💾 Sandisk Corp (SNDK) +13.67%

💾 Intel (INTC) +3.58%

💾 Super Micro Computer (SMCI) +4.17%

🧬 Cisco (CSCO) -8.4%