As the calendar turns to 2025, millions of Canadians are taking a hard look at their finances, grappling with the burden of holiday borrowing and the rising cost of living. While the start of a new year often inspires resolutions and renewed focus on priorities, a recent survey conducted by CIBC highlights the financial challenges and aspirations of Canadians heading into the year.

The euro has been on a downward trajectory against the US dollar since the start of 2024, with its value declining by approximately 2.2%. Despite occasional minor recoveries, the EUR/USD exchange rate remains historically low, hovering just below 1.08 as of May 14. Several factors contribute to this trend, primarily rooted in the divergence of monetary policies and economic trajectories between the euro area and the United States.

Foreign investment in U.S. commercial real estate (CRE) is poised for a significant resurgence in 2025 after years of subdued activity. This revival is being driven by favorable economic conditions, including interest rate cuts and a weakening U.S. dollar, which have enhanced the sector's appeal to international buyers.

Major British investment firms, including Legal & General (LGEN.L) and Schroders (SDR.L), are gearing up to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the U.S. commercial real estate market. The move comes as these asset managers—overseeing a combined $2.5 trillion in assets—seek to capitalize on recovering property prices, bolstered by declining interest rates.