Rates Pause as Markets Navigate Global Risk
Markets balanced steady interest rates with rising geopolitical tension, while Canada’s push into mining and critical minerals highlighted longer-term opportunity.
Rates Pause as Markets Navigate Global Risk
Markets are balancing steady policy signals with rising geopolitical uncertainty. Central banks in Canada and the U.S. held rates unchanged, reinforcing a cautious stance, while tensions abroad introduced fresh volatility across equities and commodities. At the same time, Canada is pushing forward on its mining and critical minerals strategy, highlighting longer-term opportunities even as near-term risks remain in focus.
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Here's how some major markets/indexes performed in the last 5-days:
- Dow Jones: 45,529 (-2.52%)
- Nasdaq 100: 23,874 (-3.11%)
- TSX: 31,306 (-3.87%)
- BTC: 69,835 (-4.10%)
- GOLD: 4,489
- SILVER: 68
(USD)
As of 03/20/2026 at 12:00PM PST
Rates Hold Steady as Central Banks Stay Cautious
Catch Up
Central banks in both Canada and the U.S. kept interest rates unchanged this week, reinforcing a wait-and-see approach as policymakers assess evolving economic risks.
What Happened
- The Bank of Canada held its benchmark rate at 2.25%, maintaining its current stance as inflation remains near target.
- Officials flagged uncertainty tied to rising energy prices and global tensions, noting the potential for inflation pressures to build.
- The U.S. Federal Reserve also left rates unchanged, signaling caution as it monitors inflation and economic growth trends.
- Markets are now focused less on the decision itself and more on the timing of any future rate moves.
Why It Matters
A coordinated pause from central banks suggests policy is in a holding pattern rather than shifting direction. For investors, that keeps attention on incoming data and external risks, particularly energy prices and geopolitical developments, which could influence whether the next move is a cut or a hike.
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Canada Doubles Down on Mining and Critical Minerals
Catch Up
Canada is reinforcing its position in the global mining sector, with renewed focus on building out supply chains tied to critical minerals and long-term resource development.
What Happened
- The federal government outlined plans to accelerate mining projects and strengthen domestic processing capacity.
- New investments and initiatives are aimed at connecting projects to infrastructure and improving the flow of materials from extraction to end markets.
- The strategy emphasizes responsible production and partnerships with allied countries to support growing demand for key resources.
Why It Matters
With global demand rising for materials used in energy, technology, and defence, Canada is positioning itself as a stable and reliable supplier. For investors, increased policy support and infrastructure spending could unlock new opportunities across the mining value chain — from exploration to production.
Here are a several mining companies we’re currently featuring:
Graphene and GMG's (TSX.V: GMG, OTCQX: GMGMF) technology aim to deliver impact across multiple industries, from next-generation battery solutions to energy efficiency enhancements and other graphene-enabled applications that improve performance while reducing energy consumption.
Erdene Resource Development (TSX: ERD, OTC: ERDCD) offers exposure to what the company describes as one of the highest grade new gold mines globally, located within a district in Mongolia that had not previously been explored.
Avino Silver & Gold Mines (TSX: ASM, NYSE American: ASM) holds significant leverage to silver with more than 300 million ounces of silver equivalent across its asset base.
A 25,000-metre drill program is currently underway. Kirkland Lake Discoveries (TSX.V: KLDC, OTC: KLKLF) expects consistent news flow through early summer as results are released.
Highway 50 Gold (TSX.V: HWY) is searching for large Carlin-type gold deposits in north-central Nevada, a region known for clustered multi-million-ounce discoveries.
Selkirk Copper Mines Inc. (TSX.V: SCMI, FRA: IO20, OTCQB: SKRKF) controls a former producing copper, gold, and silver operation that ran for approximately 16 years.
Nevada has supplied more gold than any other state in the U.S., yet large areas remain lightly explored. Eminent Gold (TSX.V: EMNT, OTCQB: EMGDF) has chosen to concentrate entirely within this jurisdiction
Beyond drilling, Silver Viper (TSX.V: VIPR, OTCQB: VIPRF) is also evaluating acquisition opportunities to add additional precious metal ounces.
Can a large domestic salt mine help stabilize North American winter road salt supply? Atlas Salt (TSX.V: SALT, OTCQX: SALQF) is advancing the Great Atlantic Salt Project in Newfoundland to supply de-icing road salt to North America.
Cosa Resources (TSX.V: COSA, OTCQB: COSAF) maintains a treasury of just under $10 million CAD and intends to deploy that capital aggressively through drilling over the next 12 to 24 months.
Rupert Resources (TSX: RUP, OTCQX: RUPRF) strategy is clear: move beyond exploration and toward development.
Dryden Gold (TSX.V: DRY, OTCQX: DRYGF) is exploring what it calls Canada’s newest high-grade gold district near Dryden, Ontario.
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Geopolitical Tensions Add Volatility to Markets
Catch Up
Escalating tensions involving Iran are beginning to ripple through global markets, with investors adjusting positions as geopolitical risk moves back into focus.
What Happened
- Equity markets moved lower across North America as uncertainty weighed on sentiment and risk appetite.
- Oil prices climbed above recent levels amid concerns about potential supply disruptions, while bond yields edged higher.
- Investors shifted toward safer assets, with cash allocations rising as a precaution against further volatility.
- Precious metals saw mixed performance, reflecting changing expectations around inflation and interest rates.
Why It Matters
Geopolitical shocks often trigger short-term market swings, particularly through energy prices and inflation expectations. While the current environment has introduced volatility, history suggests these events tend to have a limited long-term impact on equity markets unless disruptions persist. For investors, the focus remains on how sustained energy pressures could influence interest rate policy and broader economic growth.
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📢 This Week's Selected Company News:
Canada and Peru Expand Mining Collaboration
Canada and Peru signed a new agreement to deepen cooperation in critical minerals and sustainable mining, aiming to strengthen investment and supply chain resilience. The partnership will focus on advancing technology, improving regulatory frameworks, and supporting workforce development, while also creating opportunities for Canadian mining companies and service providers in the region.
MDA Space Secures Defence Contract for Space Surveillance
MDA Space has been awarded a contract by Canada’s Department of National Defence to develop a ground-based optical system designed to enhance space surveillance capabilities. The project will support tracking and monitoring of objects in orbit, reinforcing Canada’s ability to safeguard critical space infrastructure as demand for security and situational awareness continues to grow.
Uber and Rivian Partner on Large-Scale Robotaxi Deployment
Uber and Rivian announced a $1.25 billion partnership to deploy up to 50,000 autonomous electric vehicles as part of a long-term robotaxi strategy. The rollout will begin with an initial fleet later this decade, with expansion planned across multiple cities as autonomy technology reaches key milestones.
📬 That’s a wrap for this week!
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Joshua Gimenez
Digital Content Creator
BTV Business Television / CEO Clips
